Beans Wit Attitude: Seeing Both Sides of the Death Penalty Part 2

Imagine staring into the eyes of the person who murdered your loved one. How do you feel?

Opponents of capital punishment continue to neglect two groups with their arguments: murdered victims and their families. Arguments against capital punishment cite statistics that show it does not deter crime and innocent people are executed. These statistics are misleading and do not accurately reflect the capital punishment system in the United States.

Capital punishment does deter crime and statistics prove it. Information from the U.S. Department of Justice shows between 1950 and 1974, the yearly number of executions went from about 100 to zero. During that time, the murder rate went from about 2.3 to 8 murders per 100,000 citizens. Between 1980 and 2002, the yearly number of executions went from zero to about 93. During that time, crime rate went from about 8.5 to 6.2, showing capital punishment has a profound effect on the U.S. murder rate.

A comprehensive study between Clemson and Emory University showed each execution results, on average, in eighteen fewer murders. A study from the Columbia Law School showed domestic and intimate partner homicides, the most passionate forms of murder, have been declining since 1970 as well.

Naci Mocan, a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, conducted a study that examined all 3,054 U.S. counties. Between 1977 and 1997, states that practiced capital punishment had lower crime rates than states that did not. Despite opposing the death penalty, Mocan said, “My research shows that there is a deterrent effect.”

A study by Joanna Shepherd, a law professor at Emory University, showed similar results. Her study showed the deterrent effect only applied to states that executed at least nine people between 1977 and 1996. In her review, Shepherd said, “Deterrence cannot be achieved with a half-hearted execution program.”

Unfortunately, Illinois has a half-hearted program. Because of former Governor George Ryan’s moratorium, capital punishment exists, but has no effect. Criminals roam our streets without fear of the death penalty.

Another argument against capital punishment is executing the innocent. This is the most misleading argument offered by opponents.

The Death Penalty Information Center claims there have been 102 exonerations since 1973. However, the center’s definition of “exoneration” makes no distinction between legal and factual innocence. According to Ramesh Ponnuru, the National Review's senior editor, only 32 of the 102 individuals were exonerated on innocence claims. The other 70 cases involved inmates who were exonerated because of legal errors.

Innocence is clearly not an issue. There have been over 7,300 death sentences since 1973, and only 32, or 0.4 percent, have been proven innocent. This percentage is not enough to end capital punishment.

Illinois government should start listening to its people. In 2002, a study from the St. Louis Post Dispatch showed 49.7 percent of Illinois residents were opposed to Ryan’s moratorium.

The national public’s opinion is similar. A 2009 Rasmussen Reports national survey found 61 percent of Americans favor the death penalty, while only 23 percent oppose.

We believe the next governor of Illinois should lift the moratorium and continue to practice capital punishment. A majority of Americans support capital punishment and it has proven to deter crime.

If the next governor chooses to keep the moratorium, he should have to explain his reasoning to the families of murder victims in Illinois.