The Case for Capital Punishment

I just read an article by Mr. Brad Shaw entitled Dead Man Walking. It is obvious that Mr. Shaw spent a deal of time compiling statistics on the matter of capital punishment. He anchors his position on the movie, based on the book. I, too, read the book and enjoyed the movie, and I, too, am happy that Susan Sarandon won the Oscar!

Now, let’s talk about real life. You throw a lot of numbers around and speak with authority. I would love to hear where you acquired that authority. I’ll share mine. For 28 years, I worked for the Chicago Police Department, the majority spent investigating homicides as a detective and detective sergeant. I worked on the far south side, according to Jim Croce, the baddest part of town.

I will tell you this with authority, the possibility of a death sentence is a huge tool for law enforcement. Nothing puts the fear of God into a man like the threat of execution. You address the relative costs of an execution but you fail to mention that executions are rarely ever carried out. The threat of execution helps law enforcement to obtain confessions, critical to successful prosecution. They often result in locating remains of the victims providing closure for loved ones. At trial plea agreements are usually made allowing the accused to avoid the possibility of death by issuing a guilty plea and, yes, saving many thousands of taxpayer money.

Your “hard data” suggests that capital punishment does not deter homicide. You quote statistics. Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the country yet is among the leaders in homicides year after year.

You also refer to the victims families in the Dylan Roof case. I am glad that they are able to forgive him. You also refer to the three monsters that are being executed in the next two months in Florida. Like the family members in those three cases, I don’t forgive and I don’t forget. This is one guy you won’t see outside the prison walls carrying a candle!