Death Penalty Suitable For First Degree Murders

Kenny Haymon

Mrs. LeBrun

English 1010- Final

27 April 2006

Death Penalty Suitable for First Degree Murders

The death penalty is morally right and just for people convicted of first-degree murder. Those who disagree should take a serious look at the issue at hand. They must remember that no one ever has to be executed. If no one ever murdered, no one would ever be executed. Those who oppose the death penalty act as if murderers are innocent people fighting for their lives. This could not be further from the truth. It is not the murderers who are the innocent people fighting for their lives; it is the victims whom they killed who were the innocent people fighting for their lives. People who oppose the death penalty need to realize that victim rights are more important than criminal rights.

There are several reasons why I support the death penalty for convicted first degree murderers. Some of those reasons are: it is sufficient retribution for the offense, keeping prisoners locked up for life costs too much, it is a 100% deterrent to future crimes and it brings some closure to victims' families.

First, I believe the death penalty for convicted first degree murderers is sufficient retribution for the offense. The punishment fits the crime. Morality is defined as "the principles of right and wrong." As moral creatures, humans deserve punishment for bad deeds.

Secondly, I believe keeping prisoners locked up for life costs too much. The cost of keeping a prisoner locked up is horrendous. Tax dollars keep prison cells air-conditioned and equipped with many conveniences such as televisions and video games. It also pays to feed prisoners three square meals a day. Add to this medical costs, personal recreation time, and

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Regular visits with friends and family and one can easily see that being locked up in prison is a far cry from what "doing hard time" was in the past. A little loss of freedom can not compare to a loss of life.

The next reason why I support the death penalty for convicted first-degree murderers is that it is a 100% deterrent to future crimes. Simply stated, every time the death penalty is invoked, the prisoner dies and is no longer able to commit any crime. Putting a convicted murderer in prison leaves open the possibility