Couple of quick comments that can be pursued by those with an interest. The Death penalty does not deter the homicide rate. This is only mildly controversial. Here is summary of one of the better studies.
Capital Punishment and Deterrence: Examining the Effect of Executions on Murder in Texas. Authors John Sorenson, Robert Wrinkle, Victoria Brewer, and James Marquart examined executions in Texas between 1984 and 1997. They speculated that if a deterrent effect were to exist, it would be found in Texas because of the high number of death sentences and executions within the state. Using patterns in executions across the study period and the relatively steady rate of murders in Texas, the authors found no evidence of a deterrent effect. The study concluded that the number of executions was unrelated to murder rates in general, and that the number of executions was unrelated to felony rates. (45 Crime and Delinquency 481-93 (1999)).
Ref
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/art...ATES WITH THE DEATH PENALTY V. STATES WITHOUT
I do not have the reference right now but there are studies suggesting that that a high percentage of teens (60 – 70%?) who commit violent crime have been knocked unconscious for a lengthy (one hour or more) period of time that required hospitalization. This implies some sort of serious brain insult in childhood.
If I came on a rabid dog attacking a child I would kill it with no thought. I am human and an animal. I will protect myself and my species. What differentiates you and me from the animal is our consideration for the future, especially the future of civilization in which we seek a peaceful and civilized world. So if I have a day to think about that animal of the night, I must proceed differently because every life, especially yours and mine is worthwhile.
If a person who commits premeditated murder should be put to death what of a group of 12 who in cold blood decide that a life is not worthwhile and then instruct others to kill that person. In this sense the jury is no different than the murderer. Motivation is not the deciding factor here as intent is the issue (premeditation).
As a forensic psychologist with many years working with children and adults who are (or become) criminal I would suggest to bsmutz and anyone in a similar situation that what is needed to raise a child to be a good man is time well spent. By this I mean to take up a hobby with your grandson. Buy a car with no engine and you and he learn to fix it up. Put the engine in when he is 16. Take up camping for men and teach your grandson the ways of men by making him work and play with you. Give it one year and he will become the man you would like to see. The more hours per day you "require" him to spend with you, the better.
BTW, my graduate student in a master's thesis found that one of the best deterrents of future criminality in teens is a girlfriend. And it did not matter if she was a "good" girl or a mildly "bad" girl. The female of the species has a good effect on the socialization of the male of the species. -- Handle with care.
For those who quote the bible note that Jesus said something to the affect, “I did not come to subvert the law, I bring you a new law – love one another.” To advocate the death penalty you must quote the Old Testament of a primitive Jewish culture, not the principles of Christianity (I am not a Christian, though I was raised as a Catholic).
We must always consider what principles we lay down for our children as they will have to live with our actions.
