Sioux City Journal

Death penalty: Consider both sides

Posted: Friday, July 20, 2007

VERMILLION, S.D. -- The death penalty is one of those issues in which there is no black or white answer. To say that the Bible recommends "an eye for an eye" does not consider Christ's message of forgiveness. Just as a recent study showed that after an execution, murder went down, other factors weren't taken into consideration such as a change in economics, education standards of the community, etc. that could have had a bearing on the murder rate.

Even people who are opposed to the death penalty say that in certain situations, the penalty is warranted, such as heinous ( somebody give me a definition of the word) crimes against children, killing while in custody and killing a police officer. I would encourage people to look at sites such as, journeyofhope.org or to read John Grisham's new book "The Innocent Man" for an insight into capital punishment. Many people would be surprised to know that at one time a great many murders were let out of prison and back into the general population. Back in 1972, the death penalty was abolished for a short time and, as a result, more than 300 were let out of prison. Joan M. Cheever in her book "Back From The Dead" follows their life as they integrate back in society. Did these same people, who were looked at as being so bad, commit murder again? The answer is a resounding "no." Only five committed murder again.

Many times people have had the death penalty imposed as a result of an overzealous prosecutor. I encourage people to look at the sites I've noted and to keep an open mind. -- Lloyd Rowland

Story Comments

me wrote on Aug 5, 2007 9:02 AM:

" what about the person that pulls the switch? dont know if i would want that job.kinda like murder also "

cheap wrote on Jul 28, 2007 5:14 PM:

" keith, it would cost less that a dollar to dispatch a murderer. the problem is they are allowed too many chances to appeal. cut that number down, put one between the headlights and it's over. CHEAP!!! "

Jerry wrote on Jul 28, 2007 9:00 AM:

" Keith, you are the one, who is scary. You say you believe in God but you do not believe in his omnipotence. You have no faith at all. "

SH wrote on Jul 27, 2007 7:20 AM:

" As long as the facts are clear & solid with irrefultable evidence then absolutley the Death Penalty should reign supreme in these cases! You commit murder, rape severe injury etc you shoould die, and the lethal injection is probably still too humane for them. "

all4it wrote on Jul 27, 2007 6:40 AM:

" I'm all for the death penalty. If you ask me I think people who are condemed to die should be tortured the same way they tortured their victims. They shouldn't have the luxury of being injected with drugs and just go to sleep peacefully. It should truely be an eye for an eye. Why ahould they be allowed to live and breath? It would save society so much money getting rid of the scum rather than having tax payers take care of them for life in prison. "