Poll shows majority of Americans support death penalty
Quote:
(RTTNews) - A majority of Americans continue to support the use of the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, according to the results of Gallup's annual Crime Survey released on Monday, with nearly half saying that it is not imposed often enough.
The survey found that 64 percent of Americans are in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder compared to 29 percent that are opposed. The numbers are nearly unchanged from last year, when 65 percent supported the death penalty and 31 percent were opposed.
Gallup noted that the numbers continue a trend that has shown little change over the last seven years. While support for death penalty has shown little change in the past decade, however, it is down from the high of 80 percent seen in 1994.
When asked to choose whether the death penalty or life imprisonment with no possibility of parole is the better option, Americans are more split. Forty-nine percent said the death penalty is the better penalty for murder, while 46 percent said life imprisonment is the better penalty.
The survey also found that 49 percent of Americans think that the death penalty is not imposed often enough, while 26 percent said it is imposed "about the right amount" and 18 percent said it imposed "too often." Gallup noted that these attitudes are little changed since 2002.
Men, whites, and Republicans are among the most likely to support the death penalty, Gallup said, although majorities of women, non-whites, and Democrats also approve.
I'm definitely against it, let them spend the rest of their life in a jail cell ALONE. But I do not believe in them being killed by man based on his own judgment, especially when he might not even be guilty. There have been many cases where DNA finds that someone that was originally found guilty is found innocent later on in life.
The death penalty is wrong. Only in serious cases of serious manslaughter, where someone has killed several people without the effects of a mental condition and where the evidence is unanimous is it applicable/acceptable to use it.
I'm definitely against it, let them spend the rest of their life in a jail cell ALONE. But I do not believe in them being killed by man based on his own judgment, especially when he might not even be guilty. There have been many cases where DNA finds that someone that was originally found guilty is found innocent later on in life.
I absolutely agree with this. Penn & Teller have a good episode on it that really made me think.
I also met and talked to Rick Halperin and that was an insightful experience I won't forget.
Serial killers and terrorists should get the death penalty, but not everyone else.... I'd say living with the guilt and pain is more torturous for them anyway.
i think rappist and murderers and people that do stuff like that should not only be killed but they should be tortured, i fully support the death penalty only when the people are guilty
I think no human has the right to take someone's else life. That's God's job. Whatever is the crime, they can just putting them in jail for life is enough.
I'm definitely against it, let them spend the rest of their life in a jail cell ALONE. But I do not believe in them being killed by man based on his own judgment, especially when he might not even be guilty. There have been many cases where DNA finds that someone that was originally found guilty is found innocent later on in life.
That's what I believe too and who knows how many lives have been slaughtered by the false justice of man. Man is prone to erroneous judgments and many were framed.
I can't believe you quoted me before I edit my post. I forgot to delete the "they should just" before posting. You're so fast.
back on the subject, it really saddens me that there are young people that still accept that penalty. It's so wrong. People should read Victor Hugo "Le dernier jour d'un condamné" or maybe "L'étranger". Great reads and you really get in the mind of a prisonner sentenced to death.
I can't believe you quoted me before I edit my post. I forgot to delete the "they should just" before posting. You're so fast
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