The Death Penalty-Lots of Information

Now that you've looked at an individual case study and explored the law, it's time to examine the current status of the death penalty and how it operates. Please follow the steps below and blog your responses to the questions. Your responses can be separate paragraphs or one larger integrated piece. Make sure you are specific and detailed in your responses.  This can count as your post for the week.

• Read about the STAGES in a death penalty case. Be sure you understand all of the different steps inolved.  If the full text is not showing up in the interactive interface, click on the "Print" button to read the text without the graphics.
• RESPOND-What aspects of the stages in a capital case are designed to protect the rights of the accused? Do you believe that this system is sufficient to guarantee that only the guilty are convicted?
• Read about the different METHODS of execution.
• RESPOND-Which of these (if any) are the most humane? Should any be considered “cruel and unusual” according to the 8th Amendment? If so which? Why?
• Explore the state by state data found here. Click on each of the interactive maps to explore (Note: This data is updated as of 4/25/12).  Questions to consider as you explore include: Which states have the most inmates on Death Row? Which states have no death penalty? Which state has the most inmates on death row? Are there more blacks or whites on death row? Which state has the most women on death row? Are more men or women on death row? Why aren’t there any statistics for juveniles on death row? Which states currently do not have a life without parole option? What is the most commonly used method of execution in those states that have the death penalty? Which state has committed the most executions as of 4/25/12? Which state has committed the second most executions as of 4/25/12? Are there differences in number of executions by ethnicity? What method of execution is most common?
• RESPOND-What sorts of conclusions can you draw from this data? What does the state by state data tell us about how the death penalty is used? What regional or other trends do you see? What might this data tell us about issues of equality, arbitrariness,and justice?
• Click on this document to read the former Illinois Capital Murder statute. RESPOND-How many aggravating factors are listed that might have led to the death penalty?  What do you think of them? ? Should the crimes listed have death as a potential punishment? Why or why not? Go to the state by state data and click on Illinois to see more about the current status of the death penalty in Illinois. Does the data tell you anything about why the Illinois death penalty is no longer in effect? If not, make an inference.
• Take a look at the updated CHARTS put out by the death penalty information center.  This is current as of 10/23/2013.  Make some conclusions based on this information.
• RESPOND-How does the information here influence your previous responses? What does this data say about the economics of the death penalty? What does the data say about the influence of race on the death penalty? What does the data say about public opinion for the death penalty? What does the data say about innocence?  About deterrence?  Looking at the information overall, what point of view would you say that the Death Penalty Information center has? Is it convincing? Why or why not? What additional information would you like?
• BONUS-For Dexter fans. Read the blogs posted here and here. RESPOND: If Dexter was caught, should he receive the death penalty? Why or why not?