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It appears that the author of this title and the writers whose articles I have read under this title, do not understand the offense of Treason. In the United States Constitution, Treason has been given a very narrow definition. Article III, Section 3 reads, "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have the power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attained."

Congress did, according to the Constitution, pass a bill that punished those convicted of Treason with fines, jail terms and death. But because of the very narrow Constitutional definition of Treason, there has been less than three dozen federal prosecutions in the history of the United States. There have been only seven convictions for Treason and no executions. There have been only two successful prosecutions for Treason on the state level, with one execution. That execution was John Brown in 1859.

In 2006, the United States charged Adam Gadahn, an al-Qaeda propagandist, with Treason. Before 2006, the last prosecution for Treason was in 1952. As a matter of fact, convictions for Treason worldwide are rare with Britain leading the way in its long history.

To get around the narrow Constitutional definition and requirements of Article III Treason, Congress passed two statutes. The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918. Both Acts carried the death penalty. This legislation expanded the definition of treasonous behavior. The great majority of spying and other traitorous acts are prosecuted under the Espionage Act and not Treason. And this is where most of the executions have taken place.

Treason is very difficult to prove, but convictions under the Espionage Act are easier to prove because of its broader definitions.

As for the original question, I do not believe in the death penalty for any offence. The judicial system has wrongly convicted people in the past and will do so in the future. Give offenders who have been convicted of the most heinous of crimes life in prison with no parole. Just in case we were wrong again. Not to mention that life in prison is probably a worst punishment than a quick death.

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