by Robert Blevins

Created on: September 09, 2009

Ten Good Reasons to Stop Executing People in the United States

This writer used to be a gung-ho death penalty supporter back in the day. Oh, yes. An eye for an eye that was my motto for murderers. Gas 'em, fry 'em, shoot 'em full of lethal drugs, or in the case of my home state of Washington, hang 'em high.

I changed my mind.

One of the reasons was a series of interviews I did back in the mid-80's with inmates serving long-term sentences. I'm speaking of inmates who have no hope of release unless they suddenly discover the Fountain of Youth springing up through the floor of their cells, and that is unlikely. I found that for people doing life without the possibility of parole, their punishment really WAS a fate worse than death. They stood at the doors of their cells and listened as names were called out for release. They went through each day listening to the stories from other inmates about what they were going to do when they got out, or how great it would be when they could see their families again.

But they're not going anywhere. Ever.

Meanwhile, over on Death Row, you hardly ever hear of an inmate fighting back against the guards when his time comes to take that long walk to the execution chamber. Most just go along for the Big Ride. They figure their life sucks anyway, and death puts an end to all the noise and the bullshit.

Here are ten good reasons why the United States should abolish the death penalty.

It Isn't Applied Fairly

In cases which begin in the Federal system (although almost all end up in state courts), most executions are done under Reagan's 1988 'Drug Kingpin' Act, which allows executions of anyone involved in a murder who was also involved in a criminal drug enterprise. Although three-quarters of the people arrested under the Drug Kingpin law are white, 78% of those actually executed under the law are black or Hispanic. In the state systems, a black or Hispanic is a lot more likely to be executed - same as the Federal system. Here in Washington State, they gave the Green River Killer a life-without-parole sentence, while the state pursued the death penalty against other defendants for lesser crimes. In general, the decision to seek the death penalty is NOT a level playing field for anyone of color or poverty.

Innocent People Occasionally Get Executed

Oops. Larry Griffin of Missouri is a famous case. Evidence came to light after his execution that strongly pointed to his innocence. Even the prosecutor apologized. Other cases include

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