A Very Short History
Death penalty laws were believed to be established as early as eighteenth century BC in the Code of King Hammaurabi of Babylon. It allowed death for 25 crimes. The fourteenth century BC code of Hittite made all crimes punishable by death. Fifth century BC of Roman Law of Twelve Tablets used crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement as death methods. The first execution in the United States occurred in 1622 was Daniel Frank because of theft.
In Britain during the 1700s, punishable by death by crimes became outrageous. 222 crimes were punishable by death, including cutting down a tree. Because of the severity, the crimes were reduced to over 100 in 1823.
Current Law
International law states that capital punishment cannot be used for people, who were under 18 at the time of the crime committed. Yet, eight countries still violate this law, including the US.
English: Total number of executions carried out in...
US gas chamber usage
English: A zoomed in version of File:Executions_in...The other seven countries are Congo, Iran, Yemen, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria. The United States have executed 19 people who committed their crime under 18, more than the other seven countries combined. Many countries do not believe in capital punishment at all. A total of 106 nations, including 30 since 1990, have abolished the death penalty. Thirteen states in America do not have the death penalty.
A Very Short Introduction
The death penalty is one of the most heated arguments in the United States. The main question asked is: Should the death penalty be abolished? This author thinks so.
Human Error
There is always a possibility of error in sentencing death to an innocent person. In the last 30 years, 114 inmates on the death row were found to be innocent and released. A study from Columbia University by Professor James Liebman revealed some shocking...
Well stated
Although, in some extreme cases I may sway towards the death Penalty; but what does it prove? What have we gained? Just another lost life and broken family.
I do not believe it is fair to take the life of another, as we become the criminals. I do not believe that there is a person competent enough to make the judgement call to take someone else's life.
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