| A | B |
|---|
| # states that have the death penalty | 33 |
| states with majority of executions | south and south east/Texas has vast majority of executions |
| Average # executions in US annually in last 10 years | 40-60 |
| Democrats | typically against DP |
| Republicans | generally in favor of DP |
| last 10-20 yrs | public opinion regarding DP has been decreasing |
| 5 methods of execution in US | hanging, firing squad,electric chair, gas chamber,lethal injection |
| most common method of execution in US | lethal injection |
| Arguments for DP | It deters crimes |
| Arguments for DP | prevents future murders |
| Arguments for DP | provides closure for family |
| Arguments for DP | society requires it for the worst crimes |
| Arguments against DP | cruel and unusual punishment |
| Arguments against DP | risk of executing innocent |
| Arguments against DP | unfair, unequal treatment |
| Arguments against DP | too much power for the state |
| Arguments against DP | takes too long, not swift |
| Kennedy v. Louisiana | restriction of DP cases, crimes that do not result in death, not a DP case |
| Baze v. Rees | lethal injection, as constitutional, not cruel and unusual punishment |
| Roper v. Simmons | unconstitutional to use DP on offenders under age of 18 when crimes committed |
