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Introduction
Capital punishment has been the subject of many debates over time. ... It is cruel and unusual punishment. ...
From 1967 to 1976, a worldwide movement went towards the abolition of capital punishment. ... Although the United States resumed the death penalty in 1977, most of the Western world either formally or informally had abolished Capital punishment. ...
In the Constitution, the Eighth Amendment prohibits the use of cruel and unusual punishment when carrying out an execution. ...
The states that impose the death penalty have different definitions of a capital crime. In Maryland, felony murder is a capital crime but in New Jersey, it is not. ... The geography and which states seem to be stronger proponents of capital punishment and the question is raised if it is a deterrent to criminals. ...
Race and Gender
Juries and judges tend to find more mitigating factors in capital cases involving women than in ones involving men. ... Because of their mental retardation, these men and women cannot fully understand what they did wrong and many cannot even comprehend the punishment that awaits them. ...
There are 25 states that permit capital punishment for people with mental retardation. ... Supreme Court has ruled that the execution of persons with mental retardation is not cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the U. ... The Eighth Amendment has been interpreted to include punishment that is disproportionate to the gravity of the offense and the defendants moral culpability, and imposes purposeless pain and suffering. ... The case of Johnny Paul Penry exemplifies for many Americans the injustice of imposing capital punishment on persons with mental retardation and the failure of the U. ...
Even most supporters of capital punishment recognize that the ultimate penalty loses whatever moral legitimacy it may have if it is levied, on people with mental retardation. ... Offenders with mental retardation are more vulnerable in capital trials because their disability makes it hard for them to comprehend abstract legal concepts or to help in their own defense.
Approximate Word count = 2048
Approximate Pages = 8.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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