Some aspects of capital punishment
...e or a capital crime. The term "capital" comes from the Latin capitalis, meaning "head." Thus, capital punishment is the penalty for a crime so severe that it deserves decapitation (Hansen). Capital punishment was widely applied in ancient times and it can be found in the Code of Hammurabi. From the fall of Rome to the beginnings of the modern era, capital punishment was first practiced throughout Western Europe and quickly spread throughout the world (Hansen). There has also been intense debate regarding the constitutionality, effect, and humanity of capital punishment (Hansen). Many believe that executions are carried out inconsistently and they violate the "cruel and unusual punishment" provision of the Eighth Amendment. Many cases have resulted because of that issue of capital punishment. One example would be the case Furman v. Georgia in 1972, in which t...