153 Pro-Death Penalty Links

Pro-Death Penalty.Com (Justice For All)

A comprehensive pro-death penalty site with articles, links, and up-to-date death penalty info and news.

Wesley Lowe's Pro-Death Penalty Homepage

Thoughtful pro-death penalty essay addressing arguments re: deterrence, cost, racism, DP vs LWOP, morality, christianity, constitutionality, and risk of wrongful executions.

Clark County Indiana Prosecuting Attorney

Comprehensive information on the Death Penalty in Indiana, including statistics, executions since 1900, current death row (with photos), Indiana death penalty laws, history, and methods of execution, with factual and legal summaries of all death penalty cases since 1977; Up-to-date information on the Death Penalty in the United States; Listing and news/legal summaries of all executions since 1976; Over 3,000 death penalty links arranged by subject, including 150+ pro-death penalty links.

The Bible's Teaching on Capital Punishment by Logos Christian Resources.

Online ministry with citations from Old and New Testament supporting Capital Punishment, David L. Brown Th.M. (1992)

AIM Report: The Death Penalty Saves Lives. (August A 2000)

Well written essay from Accuracy in Media Editor, Reed Irvine, responding to recent media and political "events" from a pro-death penalty point of view. Includes: Fewer Executions, More Murders; Agenda Of The Major Media; Targeting Bush; Flawed Study; The Clinton-Gore Record; Nullification Tactics; Hollywood's Contribution; The Murder Capital; O.J. And Hurricane Notes.

The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense (PBS Frontline)

Scholarly defense of capital punishment by Ernest van den Haag, Professor of Jurisprudence and Public Policy, Fordham University. (1986)

"The Death Penalty: A Defence," by David Anderson. (February 2008)

Introduction; Arguments for the Death Penalty; Answers to the arguments against the Death Penalty; Investigations concerning deterrence; Investigations concerning costs; Are many innocent people sentenced to death?; About public executions; When the Death Penalty becomes unacceptable; Conventions and protocols; Should organs be taken from executed criminals?; The abolitionist’s alternative – lifetime without parole; Amnesty International; The Death Penalty and the Bible; The "right to life" and Death Penalty; EU and Reformed criminal policy.

Criminal Justice Legal Foundation.

A California-based nonprofit public interest law organization dedicated to restoring a balance between the rights of crime victims and the criminally accused. Includes summaries of recent cases of interest in California, U.S. Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court, with index of amicus curiae briefs filed by CJLF.

Pro-Death Penalty Articles (2000-2008) from Josh Marquis, Oregon Prosecutor.

Counting the Guilty, commentary on New York Times column by Adam Liptak, March 26, 2008; Let's not squander our moral capital, Oregonian OpEd, February 14, 2008; How many dead innocent victims is "a few"?, on After Innocence, commentary, March 14, 2006; The Innocent and the Shammed, New York Times OpEd on the wrongfully freed, January 26, 2006; Guilty Again!, commentary on DNA confirmation of the guilt of rapist and murderer Roger Coleman, January 15, 2006; Scientific American Fiction?, commentary, January 7, 2006; The Ultimate Sanction Does Work, The Oregonian, December 29, 2005; For select few, death is just, USA Today, December 12, 2005; Supreme Court Visit, The Daily Astorian, December 9, 2005; Karma Comes Around for Tookie, LA Times, December 4, 2005; 1,000th Execution Delayed, by Scott Ott, November 30, 2005; Testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, June 30, 2005; The Myth of Innocence, Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, March 31, 2005; Honesty in the Debate, special to the National Law Journal, February 28, 2005; Prosecutors vs. Journalists: The Gloves Are Off, The Chicago Reader on the Chicago Tribune series, June 29, 2000.

"The Death Penalty Debate in Illinois," by John J. Kinsella. (DuPage County Bar Association Brief June 2000)

Thorough description of the recent Death Penalty Debate in Illinois, with a pro-death penalty slant, including a discussion of the Chicago Tribune, the so-called 13 "exonerations," Rolando Cruz and the prosecution of the prosecutors, from John J. Kinsella, First Assistant State’s Attorney for DuPage County.

"Illinois Prosecutors and Police Acquitted Despite Evidence They Framed Defendant," by Alden Long. (16 June 1999)

World Socialist Web Site: "A DuPage County, Illinois prosecutor and four sheriff's officers were acquitted by a county judge and jury June 4 of charges that they conspired to frame up and convict Rolando Cruz for murder, rape and kidnapping."

"Prosecutors vs. Journalists: The Gloves Are Off," by Michael Miner. (Chicago Reader June 9, 2000)

A column giving a critical reply to the Chicago Tribune series of articles, "Trial and Error," spotlighting the response of the National District Attorneys Association and Oregon Prosecutor Joshua Marquis.

Death Penalty Debate. (Fayette County, Kentucky Commonwealth Attorney Ray Larsen)

Office website with excerpts of pro-death penalty articles and argument, including: Opinion polls show that Europeans and Canadians favor the death penalty almost as much as Americans; The Death Penalty: A Careful Response To Heinous Acts; Justice Department Study Concludes No Racial Or Ethnic Bias In The Federal Application Of Death Penalty; Does The Death Penalty Save Innocent Lives?, The Myth Of Racism In Death Penalty; Death Penalty Opponents Apply Flawed Logic; Liebman's Death Penalty "Study" Not Accurate; Nuns To Ring Church Bells When Murderers Executed. As usual, no bells for the innocent victims.

Articles on Death Penalty Deterrence.

Links and summaries / abstracts of articles and studies on the deterrent effect of capital punishment. From the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation.

"Does Capital Punishment Have a Deterrent Effect?" (Emory University Department of Economics January 2001)

Scholarly research paper from economics professors at Emory University, Hashem Dezhbakhsh, Paul Rubin, and Joanna Mehlhop Sheperd, suggesting that the death penalty has a strong deterrent effect. "An increase in any of the three probabilities - arrest, sentencing, or execution - tends to reduce the crime rate. In particular, each execution results, on average, in 18 fewer murders-with a margin of error of plus and minus 10. Tests show that results are not driven by “tough” sentencing laws." Unlike many similar studies, this research is based mainly upon new data from post-1976 information.

"Pardons, Executions, and Homicide." (University of Colorado at Denver October 2001)

Scholarly research paper from economics professors at the University of Colorado at Denver, H. Naci Mocan and R. Kaj Gittings, suggesting that the death penalty has a deterrent effect. The paper uses as a dataset over 6,000 death sentences handed down from 1977 to 1997 in the United States. "We find a significant relationship between the execution and pardon rates and the rate of homicide. Each additional execution decreases homicides by 5 to 6, while three additional pardons generate one to 1.5 additional homicides."

"The Deterrent Effect of Capital Punishment: A Question of Life and Death," by Professor Isaac Ehrlich June 1975)
"The Deterrent Effect of Capital Punishment: A Question of Life and Death," by Professor Isaac Ehrlich June 1975)

Scholarly article from University of Chicago Professor Isaac Erlich, finding a clear deterrence effect of the death penalty. (The American Economic Review, Volume 65, Issue 3, June 1975, Pages 397-417.)

"Life v. Death: Who Should Capital Punishment Marginally Deter? by Charles N. W. Keckler. (2006)

Scholarly article from Charles N. W. Keckler, University of New Mexico, finding a clear deterrent in the death penalty for those who murder and do not fear prison. "In different ways, gangland figures, serial killers, and terrorists all make killing their “business”; it is therefore sensible, as well as singularly appropriate, to selectively focus the use of capital punishment on raising the price of their crimes." (2 J. Law, Economics & Policy 101-161)

"Execution Moratoriums, Commutations and Deterrence: The Case of Illinois," by Dale O. Cloninger & Roberto Marchesini. (2006)

Abstract of Paper by Dale O. Cloninger & Roberto Marchesini, University of Houston-Clear Lake. "In January 2003 just prior to leaving office, the Governor commuted the death sentences of all of those who then occupied death row. It is found that these actions are coincident with the increased risk of homicide incurred by the residents of Illinois over the 48 month post-event period for which data were available. The increased risk produced an estimated 150 additional homicides during the post-event period. " (Applied Economics, vol. 38, no. 9, pp. 967-973 (May 20, 2006)

"State Executions, Deterrence, and the Incidence of Murder," by Paul R. Zimmerman. (2004)

Scholarly article by Paul R. Zimmerman, U.S. Federal Trade Commission - Bureau of Economics. "Correcting for simultaneity, the estimates imply that a state execution deters approximately fourteen murders per year on average. Finally, the results also suggest that the announcement effect of capital punishment, as opposed to the existence of a death penalty provision, is the mechanism actually driving the deterrent effect associated with state executions." (Journal of Applied Economics, Vol. VII, No. I (May 2004), 163-193).

"Murders of Passion, Execution Delays, and the Deterrence of Capital Punishment," by Joanna M. Shepherd. (2004)

Scholarly article by Joanna M. Shepherd, Clemson University. "Each execution results in, on average, three fewer murders. In addition, capital punishment deters murders previously believed to be undeterrable: crimes of passion and murders by intimates. Moreover, murders of both black and white victims decrease after executions." (Journal of Legal Studies, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 283-322 (June 2004)

"Does Capital Punishment Have a Deterrent Effect?" (Emory University Department of Economics January 2001)

Scholarly research paper from economics professors at Emory University, Hashem Dezhbakhsh, Paul Rubin, and Joanna Mehlhop Sheperd, suggesting that the death penalty has a strong deterrent effect. "An increase in any of the three probabilities - arrest, sentencing, or execution - tends to reduce the crime rate. In particular, each execution results, on average, in 18 fewer murders-with a margin of error of plus and minus 10. Tests show that results are not driven by “tough” sentencing laws." Unlike many similar studies, this research is based mainly upon new data from post-1976 information. (Inactive link)

"Reply to Donohue and Wolfers on the Death Penalty and Deterrence," by Paul H. Rubin. (Economists Voice April 2004) "Reply: The Death Penalty Once More," by Paul H. Rubin. (Economists Voice April 2006)

Replies from Economist Paul H. Rubin after criticism from economists John J. Donohue and Justin Wolfers.

"Getting Off Death Row: Commuted Sentences and the Deterrent Effect of Capital Punishment," by H. Naci Mocan & R. Kaj Gittings. (2003)

Scholarly article by H. Naci Mocan & R. Kaj Gittings, University of Colorado at Denver. "We find statistically significant relationships between homicide and executions, commutations and removals. Specifically, each additional execution (commutation) reduces (increases) homicides by about 5, while an additional removal from death row generates about one additional murder." (Journal of Law and Economics, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 453-478 (October 2003)

"The Death Penalty Deters Crime and Saves Lives," by David B. Muhlhausen. (August 28, 2007)

Testimony delivered on June 27, 2007, before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States Senate from David Muhlhausen, a Senior Policy Analyst in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation.

The Anti-Death Penalty Movement has Failed.

Interesting and thorough essay written by a strong opponent of Capital Punishment, Defense Attorney Andrew Hammel, who flatly states that the anti-DP movement has failed and offers suggestions on how to get it back on the right track: Admit failure and take responsibility for it; Avoid bogus claims of innocence; Do not make martyrs or heroes out of death row inmates; De-emphasize demonstrations; Don't rely on the law, our main focus should be on changing public opinion first.

The Application of Indiana’s Capital Sentencing Law: Findings of Indiana Criminal Law Study Commission. (January 10, 2002)

At the request of Governor O'Bannon, the Commission held hearings for almost 2 years in order to answer the following questions: 1. Whether safeguards are in place to ensure that an innocent person is not executed; 2. Whether our special rules requiring definitively trained capital defense counsel are working to ensure that a capital defendant’s legal representation is properly qualified; 3. Whether the review procedures in place in Indiana and in our federal Seventh Circuit appellate courts result in a full and fair review of capital cases; 4. How the cost of a death penalty case compares to that of a case where the charge and conviction is life without parole; 5. Whether Indiana imposes capital sentencing in a race neutral manner; 6. Whether Indiana should consider any changes in its capital sentencing statute.

"Florida Commission on Capital Cases: Case Histories, a Review of 24 Individuals Released from Death Row." (September 10, 2002)

"In response to the increased scrutiny of Florida’s capital cases; specifically, a recent study claiming that Florida has the highest rate of death row releases, the commission has researched in-depth the 24 cited cases where individuals have been released from death row. Of these 24 inmates, none were found “innocent,” even when acquitted, because no such verdict exists. A defendant is found guilty or not guilty, never innocent. The guilt of only four defendants, however, was subsequently doubted by the prosecuting office or the Governor and Cabinet."

A Response to the Bedau and Radelet Study (Justice For All)

Excerpt from Justice For All pro-death penalty article "Death Penalty and Sentencing Information," responding to the Bedau and Radelet Study on the risk of wrongful execution. (10/01/97)

Race, Sentencing, and the Death Penalty (Justice For All)

Excerpt from Justice For All pro-death penalty article "Death Penalty and Sentencing Information," thoroughly addressing the alleged racism in the administration of the death penalty in the United States. (10/01/97)

Incapacitation and Deterrent Effects of the Death Penalty (Justice For All)

Excerpt from Justice For All pro-death penalty article "Death Penalty and Sentencing Information," thoroughly addressing the general and specific deterrent effects of the death penalty in the United States. (10/01/97)

The Costs of LWOP versus the Death Penalty (Justice For All)

Excerpt from Justice For All pro-death penalty article "Death Penalty and Sentencing Information," thoroughly addressing the financial costs of the death penalty as opposed to life imprisonment without parole in the United States. (10/01/97)

Christianity and the Death Penalty (Justice For All)

Excerpt from Justice For All pro-death penalty article "Death Penalty and Sentencing Information," thoroughly addressing religion and the death penalty, with significant Biblical citations and references, and commentary from Justice For All. (10/01/97)

Gary Graham (Texas) and the Anti-Death Penalty Movement: A Case Study Of Lies (Justice For All)

"Hollywood, Murder, and Texas - Death Row Inmate Gary Graham and the Anti-Death Penalty Movement: A Case Study of Lies, Half-Truths and Intimidation." (1994) Thorough Justice For All article detailing the fraud of Hollywood and the "movement," and their campaign of disinformation.

The Death Penalty in Black and White by Dudley Sharp (Justice For All)

Thorough article from Dudley Sharp (Justice For All), published in the weekly E-Zine IntellectualCapital.Com, addressing the alleged bias and racism in the administration of the death penalty in the United States. (June 1999)

The Risk of Wrongful Execution of the Innocent (Wesley Lowe)

Excerpt from Pro-Death Penalty article, addressing the risk of executing the innocent. (10/01/99)

"The Last Guys Proved Innocent," by Ann Coulter. (Jewish World Review June 27, 2000)

Short commentary on the 1980's fraud perpetrated by the anti-death penalty forces through the Bedau and Radelet study of innocents executed, with the willing assistance of the media, and the response by Markman and Cassell.

"Not So Innocent - The death penalty: an argument continued," by Ramesh Ponnuru. (National Review October 1, 2002)

"Besides, there is a more important reason to reject the over-100 claim: It's not true. DPIC counts people as "innocent" when they were released from death row for reasons wholly unrelated to any belief that they did not commit the crime charged."

A Critique of the Death Penalty Information Center "Innocence List." (ProDeathPenalty.Com 2000)

The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) Innocence List (“Innocence: Freed from Death Row”) is frequently cited as support for the claim that 102 innocent prisoners have been released from Death Rows across the nation. This list is uncritically accepted as definitive. However, an examination of the premises and sources of the List raises serious questions about whether many of the allegedly innocent prisoners named on The List are actually innocent at all. By Ward A. Campbell. Supervising Deputy Attorney General, State of California.

"The Death Penalty - Innocence Issues," by Dudley Sharp. (July 2002)

Thorough article addressing the concerns of wrongful convictions and execution of the innocent: I. Innocents Released from Death Row: A Critical Review of the Claims; What is the real number?; II. The Risk to Innocents if We Don't Execute; III. Due Process and The Risk to Innocents (Protecting innocent defendants / inmates sacrificing the innocent); IV. OK to Execute the Innocent?; V. Future innocence considerations; VI. The Innocent Executed; VII. Conclusion. From Dudley Sharp, Justice For All, Director of Death Penalty Resources.

"The Guilty and the Innocent," by Paul G. Cassell. (Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy Spring 1999)

An examination of alleged cases of wrongful conviction from false confessions, from Paul G. Cassell, a University of Utah law professor, emerging as one of the few spokesmen to challenge the anti-death penalty movement.

Statement of Paul G. Cassell on Claims of Innocence in Capital Cases. (House of Representatives July 23, 1993)

Full statement of Paul G. Cassell, Associate Law Professor at the University of Utah, given to the Committee on the Judiciary, United States House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights, concerning claims of innocence in capital cases. ". . . the risk to innocent life from failing to carry out capital sentences imposed under contemporary safeguards far outweighs the speculative and remote risk that an execution might be in error.

California Disrict Attorneys: "A Prosecutor's Perspective on the Death Penalty." (March 19, 2003)

Thorough response to the misinformation and distortion of facts revealed in the arguments by many death row inmates and death penalty opponents, as well as significant media outlets.

"Ten Anti-Death Penalty Fallacies," by Thomas R. Eddlem. (New American July 3, 2002)

Pro-DP article addressing 10 recent arguments against the death penalty, including Racism, Cost, Innocance, DNA Evidence, Cruel and Unusual, Pro-Life Consistency, The Company We Keep, No Deterrance, Christian Forgiveness, No Mercy).

"Where Are the Death Penalty Critics Today? by Walter Berns. (Wall Street Journal June 11, 2001)

Timothy McVeigh's execution is noteworthy for another reason: Its failure to provoke the usual outcries against the death penalty, or sympathy for the defendant. The opponents of the death penalty have been unusually quiet about the sentence. Timothy McVeigh, like Adolf Eichmann, was a murderer, and I can think of no reason why he should not have been made to pay for his crimes with his life.

"Pro-life and Pro-Capital Punishment: Contradiction in Terms? by Anthony Gonzales. (Roman Catholic Replies)

"It must be reiterated again and again that to defend innocent human life (the operative word being "innocent") is not inconsistent with the position that those guilty of heinous crimes should be punished to the full extent the natural and civil law allows. All of human history, including the history described in the Holy Scriptures with God's commands and the natural law are on our side."

"Attack on Texas Lethal Injections is Bogus," by Sen. Kyle Janek. (Houston Chronicle)

Article from Texas State Senator and Anesthesiologist Kyle Janek: "Having no hope of overturning capital punishment itself at the ballot box or through the court system, a few vocal death penalty opponents, including inmates, have rolled out a new strategy attacking the inclusion of pancuronium bromide as one of the medications used in the lethal injection process." (Reposted by Criminal Justice Legal Foundation)

"Capital Punishment Saves Lives," by Jeff Jacoby. (FreeReupublic.Com June 6, 2002)

Columnist describes the virtues of capital punishment and the disaster wrought by the death penalty moratorium of the 1960's. (Boston Globe)

"Are Innocent People Being Executed In The U.S.?" (National Center for Policy Analysis)

Abstract of article by Eugene H. Methvin, "Death Penalty Is Fairer Than Ever," Wall Street Journal, May 10, 2000.

Death Penalty Procedures. (Justice For All)

List of 28 separate due process and procedural safeguards afforded the defendant at trial and on appeal, before execution, from Justice For All.

"Death Penalty Gains Unusual Defenders," by Richard Willing. (USA Today January 6, 2003)

News article on the increasing willingness of academia to stand for the death penalty: "Academics who back executions are gaining some acceptance. Meanwhile, Blecker says he's getting asked to more academic conferences on the death penalty — usually as the only voice in favor. 'A lion in a den of Daniels' is one way I've been introduced, he says."

"Death Penalty Guards What is Valued Most," by Dennis Prager. (Milwaukee Journal June 9, 2001)

Excellent editorial appearing in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Los Angeles Times written by talk show host Dennis Prager. (The dilemma of death penalty opponents about the execution of Timothy McVeigh)

Life Without Parole is Not Good Enough to Insure Public Safety. (Wesley Lowe)

Excerpt from Pro-Death Penalty article, addressing LWOP as an unacceptable alternative to the death penalty. (10/01/99)

"Steven Judy: The World is Better Off," by Laura Lane. (Bloomington Herald-Times October 21, 2001)

20 years after Steven Judy murdered Terry Chastain and her 3 children, a news reporter interviews the prosecutor, Judge, and defense attorney. (inactive link)

"If Not Death [for William Minnick], Then What?" by Jonathan David Morris. (The Conservative Voice December 24, 2005)

"Capital crime and punishment is not a subject I enjoy. It became personal on Oct. 26, 1981. Don't let anyone tell you time heals all wounds. It does not. And the recent debate over whether a state should execute a convicted murdering thug just keeps open the wound." "Do We Need the Death Penalty? Yes, It's Still Necessary," by Dudley Sharp. (September 2002)

Opinion article from "The World and I Online." Also includes counter argument "Do We Need the Death Penalty? It is Immoral and Ineffective," by Steven W. Hawkins. (Heaven forbid that someone would publish a pro-death penalty article without an opposing viewpoint!)

"Deadly Stakes: The Debate Over Capital Punishment," by Johgn O'Sullivan. (National Review Online August 30, 2002)

Opinion article from The National Review Online: "A genuinely civilized society would take a very different view. It would pay more attention to the cries of the victims than to its own squeamishness. And it would transfer its compassion from the David Westerfields of this world to the Danielle Van Dams."

Death Penalty Resource Community.

Pro-Death Penalty Resource, Statistics, Recent News Reports, Executions/Stays, Forum. "Established in March of 2006, we are here to provide you with accurate death penalty information, up to date case histories, landmark cases, history of the death penalty and current statistics. Discussions and debates are a major part of this site."

"More Innocents Die When We Don't Have Capital Punishment," by Dennis Prager. (Townhall.Com June 17, 2003)

Opinion column from talk show host Dennis Prager: "A couple of weeks ago, three New Hampshire prisoners, one a convicted murderer, escaped from prison. What if the murderer had murdered again? On whose hands would the victim's blood have been?"

"We're Not Executing the Innocent," by Paul G. Cassell. (Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2000 Editorial)

Wall Street Journal Editorial from University of Utah law professor Paul G. Cassell: "The Bureau of Justice Statistics has found that of 52,000 inmates serving time for homicide, more than 800 had previously been convicted of murder. That sounds like a system collapsing under the weight of its own mistakes -- and innocent people dying as a result."

Recidivism of Murderers - "Once a Murderer . . ." (ProDeathPenalty.Com June 28, 2000)

News reports showing specific examples of murderers who were allowed to murder again.

The Morality of Capital Punishment. (Wesley Lowe)

Excerpt from Pro-Death Penalty article, addressing the morality and philosophy of the death penalty. (10/01/99)

"From a Homicide Survivor," by moltar. (Daily Kos December 4, 2004)

Opinions that only a victim and survivors can tell - a blog entry from the brother of a homicide victim, murdered in 1995 in Florida.

"The Unkillable Death Penalty: DNA Tests Won't Stop Capital Punishment," by David Greenberg. (Slate.Com June 2, 2000)

"The problem with this scenario of the collapse of capital punishment in the face of science is that it's just as easy to envision the opposite. If it ever becomes possible to decide conclusively who is innocent and who is guilty, executing the innocent will no longer be a hazard."

"The Death Penalty: Morally Defensible?" by Casey Carmical.

Essay from "Casey's Critical Thinking," answering moral arguments against the death penalty, including a critical response to the well-worn slogan "Why do we kill people to teach people that killing is wrong?"

Habeas Corpus, A Much-Needed Reform," by Andrew Peyton Thomas. (National Review May 4, 1998)

Magazine article from a former Assistant Arizona Attorney General. "A much-needed reform seemed poised to hasten executions, until federal judges got their hands on it."

Racism and Capital Punishment (Wesley Lowe)

Excerpt from Pro-Death Penalty article, addressing alleged racism in the application of the death penalty. (10/01/99)

"Smoke and Mirrors on Race and the Death Penalty," by Kenneth Scheidegger. (Criminal Justice Legal Foundation)

"The first step toward that end is to debunk the myth that capital punishment is imposed discriminatorily. The numbers are there in the opponents’ own studies, once we cut through the spin and look at the facts." (CJLF October 2003)

Rebutting Cliched Arguments Against Capital Punishment. (Wesley Lowe)

Excerpt from Pro-Death Penalty article, rebutting cliched arguments against capital punishment. (10/01/99)

The Deterrent Effect of Capital Punishment (Wesley Lowe)

Excerpt from Pro-Death Penalty article, addressing the deterrent effects of capital punishment. (10/01/99)

Making Murder Victim Families a Party in New Jersey Capital Cases.

July 1, 1996 news article By Maureen Castellano on New Jersey Supreme Court opinion making families of murder victims parties in capital cases for the first time, and allowing victim-impact evidence with restrictions.

Deterrence: Death Penalty Information - High School Curriculum. (Michigan State Univ)

Short summary of arguments, pro and con, on the issue of deterrence.

"Pro: Execution Gives Justice to Forgotten Victim," by Thomas F. Bertonneau. (Detroit News June 3, 2003)

"In the strange reticence of the usually vocal anti-death penalty spokesmen to plead for McVeigh, we see a lingering vestige of that respect for victims, understood by Aeschylus and Wordsworth, without which morality cannot exist. When that vestige dies, the value of life dies with it."

Executing the Innocent: Death Penalty Information - High School Curriculum. (Michigan State Univ)

Short summary of arguments, pro and con, on the issue of wrongful convictions and executing the innocent.

Capital Punishment and its Cost (Wesley Lowe)

Excerpt from Pro-Death Penalty article, addressing the financial costs of the death penalty. (10/01/99)

"Anarchism and Capital Punishment" a short essay by Benjamin R. Tucker (1926)

Excerpts from the book, "Individual Liberty: Selections From the Writings of Benjamin R. Tucker." While not "pro-death penalty," Tucker does address and condemn the often-repeated statement from opponents of the death penalty, that executions by the state equates with murder. (1926)

Guest Comment: "Don't Know Much About Calculus," by William Tucker. (National Review September 22, 2000)

Comment on the New York Times continuance of the ugly tradition by death penalty opponents concluding that there is no deterrence because no-death states have a lower homicide rate. In fact, even the Times own graphs show that homicides have declined much more sharply in states with the death penalty than without. What is needed is high school calculus.

"The Economics of Capital Punishment," by Richard Posner. (Becker-Posner Blog December 18, 2005)

"Presumably grants of clemency on such a basis should be rare, since there probably are rapidly diminishing social returns to death-row advocacy, along with diminished deterrence as a result of fewer executions. For the more murderers under sentence of death there are who publicly denounce murder and other criminality, the less credibility the denunciations have."

"The Economic Death Penalty: Show Me the Model!" (PrawfsBlawg December 19, 2005)

Response to the blog postings by Becker and Posner on the economics of capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Coalition.

Our official name: The Coalition for the Celebration of the Enrichment of Texas Society Through state Capital Punishment Implementation. Membership Requirements: Must consume at least one shot of liqueur in celebration of each inmate executed by the State of Texas or otherwise designated by board member; Must be an advocate of the Death Penalty, as outlined by the State of Texas, etc...

Pro-Death Penalty News from DPINFO.COM.

A collection of articles and editorials from Dudley Sharp, Director of Death Penalty Resources at Justice for All.

Response to California Clemency Petition of Kevin Cooper. (January 21, 2004)

Full text of brief filed in opposition to the Clemency Petition of California Death Row Inmate Kevin Cooper, filed by the San Bernardino District Attorney. (Posted by Criminal Justice Legal Foundation)

"Death Penalty Study Ripped," by Teresa Stepzinski. (Jacksonville Times June 23, 2000)

A nationwide study revealing serious errors in many Florida and Georgia death penalty cases has prosecutors on the defensive, arguing that the report shows a bias against capital punishment."These statistics are an attempt by a certain group to try to make brutal murderers out as victims of the system, . . . Currie, a prosecutor for 20 years, characterized the study as little more than propaganda for death penalty opponents.

Sentencing Hearing for Timothy McVeigh: Closing Arguments of the Prosecution. (1997)

Transcript of the Government's Closing Argument asking for the death penalty in the McVeigh trial, delivered by Beth Wilkinson on June 12, 1997. (From "A Call For Reckoning: Religion and the Death Penalty" Conference held January 25, 2002.)

Trial of Timothy McVeigh: Opening Statements and Closing Arguments. (1997)

Transcript of the Government's Closing Argument asking for conviction in the McVeigh trial, delivered by Larry D. Mackey on May 29, 1997. Also, Opening statements from the Government and the Defense, as well as transcripts of the testimony of key witnesses.

MurderVictims.Com

A victims resource from "Justice For All," serving as a memorial to the many innocent victims of violent crime and a source for murder statistics, news items, discussion and information. Places the focus back on the victim instead of the perpetrator. Victim survivors can come here to find help, ask questions, give and get advice.

"The Death Penalty When Used Properly is Pro-Life." (Capitalism.Org)

Short Pro-Death Penalty Essay from Capitalism.Org. "Any man who murders another man, has declared that he does not accept the principle of individual rights."

The Wall Street Journal: In Support of the Death Penalty

Articles from the Wall Street Journal: "Why the Death Penalty Is Fair" by Walter Berns and Joseph Bessette, January 9, 1998; "Why the Unabomber Must Die" by James Tarant, January 6, 1998.

National Center For Policy Analysis: Idea House (Dallas/Washington 1997)

Series of Pro-Death Penalty articles, including: Death Penalty Report Widely Misinterpreted; Death-Penalty Opponents Seize On "Underage"; Condemned Prisoners Opting To Die; Myth Of Racism In Death Penalty; Executions And Death Sentences Trailing Off; Upholding The Death Penalty; Death Penalty Questioned; Even With Death Penalty, Most Killers Walk; Capital Punishment Saves Lives; Race & Capital Punishment ; Enlarging the Death Penalty.

John Stuart Mill - "In Favor of Capital Punishment" (1868)

1868 speech in English Parliament by John Stuart Mill opposing proposed abolition of death penalty in England.

"Abolishing the Death Penalty Would be Unfair to Minorities," by Ingram. (Talk Back Blog December 11, 2007)

"Many recent academic studies have attempted to control for various extraneous variables that might be accounting for the apparent deterrent effect of executions. These studies have concluded that the apparent deterrent effect is not merely apparent. Instead, it is real. If so, then innocent blacks would derive the most benefit from maintaining capital punishment."

Is Capital Punishment Sanctioned by Divine Authority?

Long, pro-death penalty essay, heavy on philosophy and religion, by Alexander Campbell of the Restoration Movement (1846).

"Capital Punishment: A Personal Statement," by Charles Colson. (Prison Fellowship)

Personal pro-DP statement of Charles Colson of Prison Fellowship and Watergate infamy from 2004.

Does Capital Punishment Deter Crime?

Short Pro-Death Penalty essay on the positive deterrent effect of capital punishment with a moral that you can twist statistics to prove almost anything. By Jay Johansen. (1998)

On Capital Punishment: Is the State No Better Than the Murderer?

Excellent short essay answering the often-repeated ACLU theme that when the State executes a murderer, it is no better than the murderer. By Jay Johansen. (1995)

Does Capital Punishment Deter Crime? Comparing States. (Jay Johansen 2003)

Short Pro-Death Penalty essay on the positive deterrent effect of capital punishment, using murder rates from states with and without the death penalty as support.

"Capital Punishment Deters Murder," by Clive Owens. (2003)

Capital punishment deters murder, and is just retribution. Capital punishment, is the execution of criminals by the state for committing crimes, regarded so heinous, that this is the only acceptable punishment. Capital punishment does not only lower the murder rate, but its value as retribution alone is a good reason for handing out death sentences.

"Capital Punishment: Right or Wrong?" by Randy Alcorn.

Short pro-death penalty essay from Randy Alcorn, Director of Eternal Perspective Ministries, with emphasis on ethics and religion.

"Objections to Capital Punishment Answered," by John A. Kohler, III.

Short biblical answers to common objections raised against capital punishment. (Morris Fork, West Virginia Baptist Church)

"The Right Remedy for Murder: Death," by the Ministry of the Johnston Family. (Where The Truth Hurts)

Short pro-death penalty opinion article.

"Juveniles: Paying the Ultimate Price," by Sarah Decker. (December 13, 2001)

Short pro-death penalty opinion term paper from high school student Sarah Decker.

Pro-CapitalPunishment.Com, a A Study Outline by Gary Henry.

Advocates the use of capital punishment and contains a detailed study outline on the subject, primarily from a biblical perspective.

"Throwing Stones," by Steve Merten.

Hundreds of biblical verses in support of Capital Punishment, interpreted by a self-described pro-capital punishment catholic.

On Capital Punishment and the Death Penalty (Canada)

Canadian site from the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance with a good discussion of pro and con, with emphasis on religion and with links.

Capital Punishment and Christianity (Wesley Lowe)

Thorough Pro-Death Penalty article with significant Biblical citations and references, with commentary from Wesley Lowe.

The Pope Versus the Death Penalty by Fr. David C. Trosch. (1999)

Pro-Death Penalty essay criticizing the anti-death penalty policies of Pope John Paul II, with links and citations to the Sequential Authority Structure and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

"Sentiment as Social Justice: The Ethics of Capital Punishment," by J. Daryl Charles. (Christian Research Institute 1993)

Pro-DP essay on the role of the church in modern society: "Reducing matters of morality to private elitism, public opinion, or mushy religious sentiment will only obscure the pressing issues of our culture. How contemporary American society in the future will view the moral difference between crime and punishment depends to a great extent on the church’s involvement in ongoing cultural debate — and on the influence of CNN. Stay tuned."

Oregon: "A Just Punishment," by Joshua Marquis. (Oregon State Bar May 2002)

Short pro-death penalty essay from Joshua Marquis, District Attorney of Clatsop County, Oregon and past President of the National District Attorneys Association. Published in the Oregon State Bar Bulletin in response to an anti-death penalty article publiched the month before.

"Three Good Reasons for Supporting the Death Penalty," by James L. Melton. (1997)

Pro-DP essay with biblical emphasis listing three good resaons to support death penalty: The Death Penalty Honors God; The Death Penalty Is A Deterrent to Crime; The Death Penalty Is Good for the Environment. (From BibleBelievers.Com)

"The Bible and Capital Punishment," from Stand to Reason. (Gregory Koukl)

Well organized study outline discussing the Bible and the Death Penalty. (1994)

"Life for a Life: The Bible and Capital Punishment," by James Patrick Holding.

"So it boils down to this: The Bible allows (but does not mandate) CP. The contextual grounding within which it was applied in the Bible is now different in modern society, and we must look at the issue accordingly."

"Death Penalty Biblical, Not Vengeful, Southern Seminary's Moore says," by Michael Faust. (BPNews November 13, 2001)

"Moore, who supports the use of the death penalty, argued that Romans 13 gives the government the right to punish those who do wrong. I believe that Scripture mandates that the government take this position in order to preserve public justice and order."

"Capital Punishment: Is Man a Machine or a Moral Agent? by Gregory Koukl. (Stand to Reason 1996)

Thoughtful pro-DP essay from Gregory Koukl: "Whether the government kills millions of innocent Jews or a single vicious and unrepentant murderer, the death penalty diminishes us all. This was one of those pieces that stands out for me as an example of a lack of moral clarity -- an inability to make valuable moral distinctions regarding behavior. Of course, I expect such a thing in a culture that is run through and through with relativistic thinking, and has a view of man that diminishes him to a mere machine."

"Fairness of Death Penalty Panels Questioned," by John Gramlich. (Stateline.Org May 02, 2008)

"Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views."

"Issues of Life 2: Capital Punishment," from James & Dave's Bible Page. (2003)

Pro-DP essay with biblical emphasis from James and Dave's Bible Page, an interactive Full Gospel Christian site: "The death of anyone-even a convicted killer-diminishes us all. But we are diminished even more by a justice system that fails to function. It is an illusion to let ourselves believe that doing away with capital punishment removes the murderers deed from our conscience...When we protect guilty lives, we give up innocent lives in exchange."

"God and the Death Penalty." (Theology Online)

Pro -DP Biblical responses to "Turn the other Cheek"; "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first"; "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."; "Judge not, that you be not judged."; "Vengeance is Mine, I Will repay," says the Lord."; "Thou shalt not kill".

Mishpatim: On Delivering Punishment to Fit the Crime.

Thoughts on the Torah and punishment by Rabbi Stephen Pearce, Jewish Bulletin of Northern California.(1996)

"Judaism's Pro-Death Penalty Tradition," by Steven Plaut. (JewishPress.com April 23, 2004)

"The Bible makes it crystal clear that the way one acknowledges that human souls are created in God`s image and deserving of respect and dignity is through capital punishment."

Bring Back Capital Punishment (Canada)

Pro-Death Penalty Canadian site with links.

"Debate Over Capital Punishment - A Pro Stance." (StudyWorld 1994)

Short pro-DP essay by Lisa from StudyWorld.

"The Penalty of Death," by Patrick Meehan. (Publisher's Catalog 1998)

Short pro-DP essay by Patrick Meehan: "And as with a tooth, so with a life. We require a life in retribution for a slaying so that the civil order may once again be in balance. The rhythms of daily life, thrown into disorder by a murderous assault that ended a life, are restored by the execution of the assailant, and can be restored in no other way."

Justice for Police Officer Daniel Faulkner (Victim of Mumia Abu Jamal)

Website dedicated to the Philadelphia Police Officer murdered by Mumia Abu Jamal, the prolific "journalist" convicted and sentenced to death in 1982, who has mounted an aggressive web campaign of disinformation. Facts from the trial and appeal are provided to dispel myths created by that campaign.

Tribute to Police Officer Daniel Faulkner (Victim of Mumia Abu Jamal)

Website tribute to the Philadelphia Police Officer murdered by Mumia Abu Jamal, the prolific "journalist" convicted and sentenced to death in 1982, who has mounted an aggressive web campaign of disinformation. This site describes the fund raising tribute dinner in the officer's name, from Philadelphia attorney Michael A. Smerconish.

What About Capital Punishment?

Short pro-death penalty biblical essay by Glenn Dunehew.

Pro-Death Penalty New Jersey.

Urgent Please Act Now!; Gone But Not Forgotten; 9-1 On DRow/16-2 Victims; NJ DP Study Problems; Facts and Common Sense; Petition; Contact NJ Lawmakers; Contact Us.

The Death Penalty Debate by Bob Enyart Live.

Detailed pro-death penalty biblical essay by conservative news/talk show host Bob Enyart.

The Critical Justification for Society Imposing Punishment.

Very short statement with the thesis that all punishments are to keep society from falling into the belief that the only way they can get justice is to exact a personal revenge. (Gil Warren)

The Washington Legal Foundation.

Pro-Death Penalty organization founded in 1977, whose primary mission is to defend and promote the principles of free enterprise and individual rights through advocacy of free-enterprise principles, limited government, property rights, and reform of the civil and criminal justice system.

"The Death Penalty Dilemma," by Charles E. Rice. (The New American April 4, 1994)

The death penalty provides a means to restore respect for innocent life.

"Deserving to Die," by Robert W. Lee. (The New American August 13, 1990)

Capital punishment protects the innocent and properly transfers burden of crime to the guilty.

"Cruel and Unusual Leniency," by Robert W. Lee. (The New American August 30, 1990)

Opponents of capital punishment shed few tears for the many victims of judicial leniency.

"Murders That Could Have Been Averted By Capital Punishment." (The New American August 30, 1990)

Very short statement with the thesis that all punishments are to keep society from falling into the belief that the only way they can get justice is to exact a personal revenge. (Gil Warren)

"Death penalty: Still guilty," by Peter Bronson. (Cincinnati Enquirer June 18, 2000 )

Opinion article claiming that the worst opponents of capital punishment are not ethical. They ignore victims and make martyrs of murderers. They sabotage the system at taxpayer expense, then say executions are too costly. Defense lawyers salt the record with deliberate mistakes, then say the killer had a lousy defense. The latest twist looks like more of the same.

"Death Penalty Error Study has Errors of Its Own." (Criminal Justice Legal Foundation June 19, 2000)

The study touted by anti-death penalty activists, claiming to show that American capital sentences are "fraught with error," is itself riddled with unjustified assumptions and false statements, according to CJLF.

Columbia Study: "Alabama Doesn't Execute Innocent People," by Bill Pryor. (Huntsville Times July 4, 2000)

Opponents of capital punishment recently captured national attention with the release of a biased and flawed report. The report omits critical information and was designed to support the preordained conclusions of its authors.

"OJ Was Proved Innocent Too," by Ann Coulter. (TownHall.Com June 30, 2000)

Conservative columnist Ann Coulter makes the point that the arguments against the death penalty are puffed up with phony statistics and false facts. Most recently capturing attention with reports of releases from death row. However, as the entire country ought to know after the O.J. trial, not being in prison doesn't mean you're innocent.

"Surgical Effect of Death Penalty," by John F. McManus. (The New American August 13, 1990)

Analogous to amputation, capital punishment removes diseased members to protect society.

"The Death Penalty - True Cause for Justice," by Cynthia G. Oberg. (May 4, 2000)

Short pro-death penalty essay, discussing cruel and unusual punishment, deterrence, cost and efficiency, and morality.

"Pro-Capital Punishment," a term paper by University of Bridgeport student Mrinalini Dar. (2000)

Short pro-death penalty term paper.

Christian Bible Study and Games: The Capital Punishment Bible Quiz.

A 10 question Bible quiz on the issue of capital punishment. Answers are submitted, and the score is automatically tabulated with citations and explanations of correct and incorrect answers.

"The Cure of Bloody Souls," by James L. Sauer. (The New American August 30, 1990)

Capital punishment is not only an act of justice; it is also an act of mercy, even for the executed.

"Let the State's Decide," by Charles E. Rice. (The New American July 6, 1987)

Under the Constitution, it is up to the states to decide whether to have a death penalty.

"Retribution is an Obligation," by Charles E. Rice. (The New American June 22, 1987)

Capital punishment is society's way of demonstrating respect for life.

Pro-Death Penalty Essay, from CollegeTermpapers.Com.

"Are we effectively punishing our most vile and baneful criminals? I believe some improvement to be necessary; the death penalty should be legalized in all states." (1,121 words)

Enforce Death Sentences for Cold-Blooded Killers. (1996)

Pro-Death Penalty article by UCLA Political Science student, Aanand N. Patel for student newspapaer. (1996)

"Death penalty functions to preserve just society," by Andrew Jones. (February 8, 2001)

Pro-Death Penalty article by UCLA Political Science student, Aanand N. Patel for student newspapaer. (2001)

"Capital Punishment," by Ryan Koder. (March 2001)

Pro-Death Penalty term paper written by high school student Ryan Koder for CollegeTermPapers.Com.

"Death Penalty Arguments: Deterrent or Revenge (Pros and Cons)," by Lori Ornellas. (May 3, 2001)

Pro-DP term paper written by relative of murder victim.

"Death Penalty Deception," Washington Times Editorial. (May 13, 2002)

Op-Ed piece from the Washington Times, immediately following the announcement of a Maryland moratorium from Governor Glandening, suggesting that it was done for political purposes, and very little to do with justice. (Reposted by the Community of Sant'Egidio)

Pro & Con: Articles, Essays, and Argument