The Devious Death Penalty

By Jayden G., 8th Grade

Jim was executed by lethal injection after being accused of murdering a woman named Sarah at her birthday party. While Sarah's family feels a sense of relief and justice now that they believe the man who killed her is dead, this reaction does not accurately reflect the views of most families in real life. The death penalty should be abolished worldwide because it risks the execution of innocent people, fails to provide meaningful support to the families of victims, and is ultimately inhumane.

The death penalty should not be enforced because it risks taking the life of an innocent person, which is highly problematic. In fact "For every 8 people executed in the United States, one person wrongfully condemned to death has been exonerated” (Innocence). Although this percentage may not seem significant at first glance, it represents a considerable number of individuals who have been wrongfully convicted. Courts must exercise caution and ensure they are one hundred percent certain of a defendant’s guilt. If they cannot achieve this level of certainty, they should release the defendant due to insufficient evidence, which is a common reason for wrongful incarceration. Sentencing someone to death puts innocent lives at risk. A particularly tragic example of this injustice is the case of Mr. Marcellus Williams, who was accused of murdering Felicia Gayle with a knife. “Marcellus Williams was executed in Missouri on Sept. 24, despite evidence of his innocence. Missouri executed an innocent man.” This case illustrates that even when evidence suggests a defendant's innocence, the decisions made by judges and juries may still lead to an unjust outcome. Furthermore, the consequences of such actions extend beyond the individual involved. “Our hearts are with the family and friends of Marcellus Williams and Felicia Gayle, who have suffered unimaginable loss and trauma.” The execution of an innocent person creates lasting grief that impacts both the victim’s and the defendant’s families and friends. The grief caused by wrongful executions is often the result of flawed legal proceedings. “A Black man convicted of killing a white woman, Mr. Williams maintained his innocence until the very end. His conviction was based on the testimony of two eyewitnesses who were paid for their accounts. No DNA evidence linked him to the crime. The current St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney has acknowledged that errors made by the trial prosecutors—such as mishandling the murder weapon and intentionally excluding Black prospective jurors in violation of the Constitution—contributed to a wrongful conviction” (Who Is Marcellus Williams). Mr. Williams’s case is a harsh example of the flaws inherent in today’s execution system. Despite his unwavering claim of innocence, the court failed to respect his side of the story, and the trial was racist as it excluded Black jurors, mishandled the murder weapon, accepted the testimonies of bribed witnesses, and disregarded the lack of DNA evidence.

The death penalty often does not bring closure to the victim’s family. As Megan daughter of murder victim Terry Smith, stepdaughter of murder victim Lucy Smith, and a middle school teacher says, “‘One of my parents’ killers is on death row in Pennsylvania. I cannot imagine what good it would do to kill a person who is incarcerated and away from the public. No one would be made safer. However, I can think of many people who would be harmed by his death — including his innocent family members and the prison workers who would be asked to carry out his execution. Not a single person would be healed’” (Statements from Murder Victims). Smith’s opposition against the death penalty reflects the opinions of many around the world. She argues that the death penalty only hurts everybody involved even more because another life was taken. This reveals that the death penalty often harms the people it is created to protect. "The most telling finding is that a number of family members feel relieved simply because they are finally free of the legal system,’ Bandes writes. As Matthew Shepherd’s parents and the Richard family (victims of the Boston Marathon bombing) understood, much of the pain comes from the capital system itself — lengthy, heart wrenching legal proceedings in which the family would be called to testify and the defendant would remain at center stage for years.” (Death Penalty and the Myth of Closure). The statement reveals that some family members feel relief from the burdens of the legal system in capital cases, suggesting that lengthy trials can prolong their grief instead of providing closure. It highlights that the focus on the defendant often overshadows the victims' experiences, challenging the belief that the death penalty brings resolution. This underscores the need for reform in how the legal system supports victims' families.

The death penalty is immoral. “Amnesty International holds that the death penalty breaches human rights, in particular the right to life and the right to live free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Both rights are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948” (What We Do Death Penalty). The death penalty is a clear violation of the right to life, a fundamental human right protected under international law. It also breaches the prohibition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, which is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By taking a life as punishment, the death penalty disregards basic human principles. “The arbitrary application of the death penalty can never be ruled out. The death penalty is often used in a disproportional manner against the poor, minorities, and members of racial, ethnic, political and religious groups” (Why The Death Penalty Should Be Abolished). The death penalty is often applied unpredictably and inconsistently, leaving space for unfair and biased decisions. Innocent people can be sentenced to death due to flawed legal processes, leading to irreversible errors. This arbitrariness, particularly in a system that disproportionately affects groups reveals the immoral legitimacy of capital punishment.

Ultimately, the death penalty should be illegal because it risks the killing of people who did not commit a crime. It also does not resolve the grief of victim families. Lastly, the death penalty is too unethical to be done. If you think the death penalty should be abolished, tell your friends and family about why it is wrong and encourage them to spread the message. Imagine how brutal the world would be if every country had this punishment.