Capital Punishment

[dusqi]

 

 

 

You cannot compare those numbers to general population numbers and be fair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1999, there were 788 murders committed by white people and 531 muders committed by black people. Compare that to the general population of 36,725,000 whites and 5,348,000 blacks. That is .002% murder rate for whites, and .009% for blacks. Only 6 years ago, black people had a murder rate of more than 4 times white people, so of course they will have a higher death row rate. To compare that to just the general population is a SCANDAL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though I'm not accusing you of making up these statistics, I'd be interested to see a source for them still? :) To see if there are other statistics on there and perhaps to see if 1999 is a representative year for black vs. white murder rates compared to the last decade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, my major point is that it is the race of the victim that seems to hold some sway in death penalty decisions when it shouldn't.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That is a reflection on our capitalist market and our judicial system - THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, but I'd be happier if judicial systems which are fundamentally flawed didn't have the right to dole out life and death. The difference between going to prison for 20 instead of 15 years isn't as great to me as the difference between being in prison for life and being killed. I'm more happy with a flawed judicial system that can only be biased in its prison sentences.

[Guest GhostRanger]

Anyway, financial status does not account for the difference between killing a white person and killing a black person - whether or not the defendant is white or not. There are four curves on the graph, not two. Look at the difference between a nonblack defendant killing a nonblack vicrim and killing a black victim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ignored that statement simply because it does not make sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...the difference between killing a white person and killing a black person - whether or not the defendant is white or not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What? That doesn't make sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at the difference between a nonblack defendant killing a nonblack victim and killing a black victim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That still does not prove your point. The majority of black vitcims cannot afford as good an attorney as whites can - therefore, the case will not be in their favor. Why do you think the deathrate between having a black victim and a black defendant is so much higher than a black victim and a nonblack defendant. Its because the nonblack defendant can afford a better attorney to get him/herself out of trouble. Obviously there is no racism involved in a black vs. black trial because they are both the same. And if you look at cases like Michael Jackson, the juries normally make sure to have whites as a minority when dealing with a black criminal or a crime that could involve race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is all about financial status and who can afford the best lawyer.

[insane]

It is all about financial status and who can afford the best lawyer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While this isn't an argument or anything... I believe what you say is true about financial status, and that's a very sad state to have come to. The justice system depends on who has the most money? :S not cool...

[CARTMAN842]

If The Crime Fits The Punishment, It works. Enough Said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~cart~

[bum_co]

Yep, its a serious topic. I recently had an informal debate about it, and I just want to see what people think regarding it. In the debate we reach these points:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Discourages criminals from commiting murder

 

 

 

- Prison cells now have digital television and are far too comftorble

 

 

 

- The obvious one, deserve to suffer for what they did

 

 

 

- Some murder cases have a 7 year sentance..that is nothing.

 

 

 

- Criminals might enjoy the horrible atmosphere in jails and continue to bully

 

 

 

- When they criminals come out, they can just murder again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sure I've forgotten some

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGAINST:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Could kill innocent people, as can be seen in intensive court cases

 

 

 

- Instead of discouraging crimnals, it could make them seek revenge

 

 

 

- Why solve murder with murder? You have 2 innocent families in mourning

 

 

 

- If you really want criminals to suffer, prison can be a horrible place with bullying and seculdedness from the outside world

 

 

 

- Being in a cell gives the criminal time to be choked in guilt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course those points are cut very short and can easily be expanded on. Without repeating exactly what I said, what is your view on capital punishment? Do you think it should be re-established or are do you strongly oppose the idea?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For me, it is hard to say whether it should be brought back. Criminals would suffer in jail and second murder is unjustified, but it would probably cut murder rates down by a lot. Even though it may be immoral, it reduces the risk of break outs and serious revenge-taking, and jail space cannot run out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So please, offer your opinion. Do not start flaming about it..I covered both sides. I just really want to know what people's opinions are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wait r u in speech and debate club? i am i do us extemp, u must not live in ohio if so are ld debate is on judicial activism :)