DEATH PENALTY DETERS MURDER

NCPA Daily Policy Digest ^ | May 7, 2003 | William Tucker

[bruinbirdman]

Using data from U.S. Census Reports, a correlation between executions and homicide rate from 1930-2000 can be shown, says William Tucker. His data reveals falling murder rates when the death penalty is implemented and escalating murder rates when the courts prohibited capital punishment in the early 1960s.

There is no way to contravene the logic of murder, he explains, except through the death penalty. No amount of victims' pleading or cajoling -- no promises that "I won't tell" -- will ever convince a robber or rapist that there isn't an advantage to escalating the crime to murder.

The only plausible deterrent is a qualitatively different punishment, he says:

o If the punishment for robbery is a few years in jail and the punishment for murder is a few more years after that, there is very little if any deterrence -- but if the punishment for robbery is jail time and the punishment for murder is death, there is reason to think twice.

o By contrast, eliminating the death penalty creates the exact same dilemma -- without any qualitative differential, there is no disincentive to murder the victim of the crime.

Almost the entire increase in murder from 1966 to the mid-1900s was an increase in felony or "stranger" murders -- murders committed during the course of another crime. Only when executions resumed in the 1990s did the murder rate drop precipitously to its 1960s level.

Source: William Tucker, "Deterring Homicides/With the Death Penalty," Human Events, Vol. 59, No. 12, April 2003.

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[hellinahandcart]

How can it deter when most people don't even know which offenses are death penalty eligible?

Murder and treason, that's about it.

Not too long a list for any person to memorize. And you really only have to remember the first one, since treason charges are rarely brought and extremely difficult to prove.

And your remarks about Southern states show me that YOU are the one who is not to be taken seriously.

[heidispring]

Along with murder and treason, you can include purjury along with trainwrecking (on purpose of course). Let's not forget that 2 states have plane hijacking (regardless of whether or not anyone is killed) listed as death eligible offenses. How about piracy, were you aware of that one? Read, then try again.

[heidispring]

And i am southern

[DaGman]

"Correlation is NOT causation."

Thank you for saying that.

[BlueLancer]

"...you can include purjury..."

PERJURY (as it is commonly spelled by those who know such things) is not a death penalty offense, even in Texas .. although I wouldn't be sorry if they made it so.

Your assertion that people don't understand what crimes can result in the death penalty is unproven and only asserted by you. Do you have any statistical data or census data that shows such? If not, you are simply working off your hormones, your bleeding heart, and your wasted education. The crimes most associated with the death penalty are fairly easily understood ... after all, there aren't a lot of pirates being hung on gallows near the water's edge any more. The easiest thing to do is to obey the laws .. all of the laws, or at least as many as you can .. and you shouldn't have any worry about being put to death.

Personally, I hope that there are some out there who don't know if aggravated rape is a death penalty case in one State and not in another; the uncertainty might help keep them honest. If you murder .. and note that I make the use of the term "murder" in the most legalistic sense, not simply "killing" .. someone, you deserve to die. If you rape someone in a brutal and aggravated fashion, you deserve to die. If you maliciously injure, rape, or kill a child, you deserve to die. If you are a traitor .. and, here, I would advocate the most liberal sense of the word "treason" .. you deserve to die.

And I would be very happy to pull the lever needed to accomplish this most deserving end.

[hellinahandcart]

you can include purjury along with trainwrecking (on purpose of course).

Well, the combination of perjury and trainwrecking *is* particularly abominable. :P

Since you're so "well read", let's have a list of the poor souls who have faced capital charges, let alone been sentenced to death, for plane hijacking and piracy since 1976.

[Poohbah]

Along with murder and treason, you can include purjury along with trainwrecking (on purpose of course). Let's not forget that 2 states have plane hijacking (regardless of whether or not anyone is killed) listed as death eligible offenses. How about piracy, were you aware of that one? Read, then try again.

Interesting. None of these offenses are the sort that would be committed by an honest person. Maybe we're better off with this ilk.

[heidispring]

Here is some statistical data, one person has been executed for lying during a death penalty case. If you want the name, give me some time, i have it somewhere in my notes. The point here is that not all people are aware of death eligible offenses, and not all types of murder are eligible. In order for the death penalty to deter, all murderers must pay equally with the death penalty. When was the last time a wealthy murderer was sentenced to death? When I say wealthy I am referring to 100,000+. I do not argue that murderers deserve the death penalty. But, what involves one class should involve other classes. Although much has been done and I am sure much will be done to deal with the issues of racism in death penalty cases, I see no way to resolve class issues. As for my bleeding heart, I never once said that I am against the death penalty. You assumed. As for my spelling, I'm not accustomed to using a spellchecker, and sometimes get a little carried away.

[hellinahandcart]

Here is some statistical data, one person has been executed for lying during a death penalty case.

That's not a statistic, that's a sentence. We can make 'em too.

[writmeister]

All I can say is that the man who shot me and murdered two people in the same criminal transaction can never kill again thanks to the Texas death chamber.

But don't worry to much: He was a middle-aged white male with assets of more than $500K.

[heidispring]

There has been a case where an individual was executed for perjury during a death penalty case. As for the other, I don't know that they have ever occured. The point was that not everyone is aware of all laws. Also, not all murderers are sentenced to die. Where is the fairness in that kind of system? I say all or nothing.

[hellinahandcart]

There has been a case where an individual was executed for perjury during a death penalty case.

Yeah, so you say, but in what century did this happen?

I say all or nothing.

Well, why didn't you say so, sister? I say All, because I really don't care if it deters anyone or not.

[heidispring]

Im afraid your reply was a bit too quick for me not to be suspicious. The chances are a bit unlikely Im afraid. However, if what you say is true (I never assume) I am sorry for your ordeal. Once again, I am afraid this is going to go on and on, I never said I am against the death penalty.

[heidispring]

Alright I give up. You are absolutely right. Thank you for setting me straight.

[general_re]

PERJURY (as it is commonly spelled by those who know such things) is not a death penalty offense, even in Texas .. although I wouldn't be sorry if they made it so.

Spoken like a true officer of the court ;)

[hellinahandcart]

You're welcome.

[judgeandjury]

In an approximately Christian society, there is no need for us to be executing people. It removes them, but it sets a bad example.

A majority of Americans support the bad example that it sets.

[writmeister]

In Texas, not even all murders are death penalty eligible. Only murders which fall into certain categories such as murder in the course of another felony, murder of a police officer or a child, or solicitation of murder (list not exclusive).

In fact, in the cases reinstating the death penalty, the Supreme Court has held that the death penalty can only be assessed for murder.

[judgeandjury]

Although much has been done and I am sure much will be done to deal with the issues of racism in death penalty cases, I see no way to resolve class issues.

Whenever somebody brings up the subject of racism in death penalty cases, it makes me wonder why it seems that almost every time an execution is carried out, the condemmed is a white person.

[heidispring]

I wasnt speaking of the race of the criminal, I was speaking of the race of the victim.