[J pold]

Originally Posted by Dr GonZo

I haven't read all the messages, but I'm missing the argument that capital punishment will at least stop the individual's opportunity from repeating his/her offence, and second it may also deter others from pursuing a capital punishment worthy offence as the thought of their exection scares them into rationality.

Just a thought.

Clearly this isn’t the case, From the article: Indeed, 10 of the 12 states without capital punishment have homicide rates below the national average, FBI data shows, while half the states with the death penalty have homicide rates above the national average. A state-by-state analysis found that during the last 20 years, the homicide rate in states with the death penalty has been 48 percent to 101 percent higher than in states without the death penalty.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/092200-01.htm

I’m re-posting hit article, it was brought up earlier on in the thread

Also wouldn’t sending someone too life in prison drastically reduce there ability to re-commit a capital offence?