Posted on September 22, 2011 by Law Office of Vincent J Russo

The Death penalty has long been a controversial issue in America and the world. Troy Davis was put to death in Georgia yesterday and the issue of the last few days has been the death penalty. Mr. Davis was put to death by lethal injection for the killing of an off duty police officer in Georgia. While maintianing his innocence Troy Davis had many supporters who opposed the use of the death penalty on Mr. Davis, including former president Jimmy Carter, and many other high profile supporters. The Supreme Court rejected a stay of exectuion. Accordingly the state proceeded with the execution of Troy Davis. As a result it was a top story in the national news over the last few days. The story has refueled, at least for the moment, the debate about the death penalty in our society.

As a society do we want the death penalty, and if so for what crimes would the death penalty be imposed?

In Texas there was also another execution which grew some attention but not to the level of the Troy Davis execution. Last week Presidential candidate Rick Perry and Current governor of Texas grew loud applause at the CNN Tea Party Republican debate whan asked about Texas's high execution rate of criminals given the death penalty. The crowd appeared to love executions.

How does society feel about the executions that took place this week?

Is the Death Penalty meant for punishment, retribution, or a deterrent?

What protections should a criminal defendant subject to the death penalty be afforded?

What is the Innocence Project? A national organization dedicated to exonerating wrongly convicted individuals.

This will take some time to form a proper analysis of the death penalty. The ultimate punishment? More to come on the death penalty.

Continue Reading "The Death Penalty" .