The death penalty has been widely used across states in the U.S. to punish capital offenders. However, it has raised many issues despite the federal supreme court stating that the death penalty should be given to capital offenders. The opposers of the death penalty argue that the majority of the offenders are innocent because of the errors committed to convicting the defendants, as in the case of Kansas v. Marsh, where the court ruled that the death penalty could only be applied in a system that was void of error.
However, there has been inadequate evidence that the offenders’ capital punishment is erroneous (Mandery, 2005). As a result, those who are sentenced to death deserve the punishment because they are guilty. Although some can argue that the death penalty can take the lives of innocent defendants while living the guilty to move freely in society, which can pose a threat to other innocent citizens, most of those who are executed are often found guilty. Also, the main aim of capital punishment is not to promote good behavior but to enhance respect for human life and moral integrity in society.
However, there is limited evidence to justify giving the death penalty to the innocent and the guilty. Other ways can be adopted to punish capital offenders instead of execution. Even though the executions are often done after a thorough examination of the evidence presented before the jury, some people are wrongfully convicted, and the death sentence is irreversible. However, as long as the wrongfully convicted person is alive, the error previously made can be rectified, and the individual can be set free, as indicated in the case of U.S. v. Quinones. However, if the innocent is executed, there will be no correction made. Moreover, Mandery (2005) illustrates that evidence showcasing the defendant’s innocence always presents itself later after the conviction has been passed. Additionally, the defendant can also have an opportunity to appeal the case, which can help reverse the case, as in the film “The Thin Blue Line,” where Adams successfully appeals his case after being innocently convicted (Morris, 1988). Therefore, the death penalty should be abolished in punishing capital offenders.
References
Kansas v. Marsh, 548 U.S. 163, 126 S. Ct. 2516, 165 L. Ed. 2d 429 (2006).
Mandery, E. J. (2005). Capital punishment: A balanced examination. (2nd ed.) Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Morris, E. (1988). The thin blue line [Video]. YouTube.
done in as little as 1 hour
US v. Quinones, 317 F.3d 86 (2d Cir. 2003).