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The death penalty is a very complicated and controversial issue. Some people argue that it is cruel and unethical; some people argue that it is necessary and ought to be a fixed punishment. Both positions are profoundly debatable and extremely difficult for one to take on one position. Therefore, I will argue on behalf of both positions: those who think that it is unethical and should be abolished, and those who think that it should remain constant.

Why is capital punishment unethical to some? Why do people make a big deal about it and fight for its abolishment? A few reasons are as follows: (1) man should not be the ultimate decider when one dies; (2) some innocent souls will be wrongly accused and therefore executed; (3) it is cruel and unusual punishment; and (4) death sentences are handed down randomly and racially biased.

First of all, opponents claim that those who render the death sentence should not be the ones who determine when a person's life ends; rather, it should be God. In other words, people need to stop playing God. This argument is rather valid because God does not condone the killing of anyone (even though inmates on death row are sentenced there for murder(s) or other crimes), for it is a sin. Those who commit such sin would have to deal with His wrath when their life ends. Thus, why should a controversial practice determine when one dies?

Secondly, opponents argue that some inmates on death row are wrongly accused, because they are innocent. Not only is this argument valid, but it is a fact. Those who think otherwise are avoiding the reality; the legal system does not always render proper judgments. In fact, since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, more than 100 inmates have been released from Death Row via acquittal, dismissed charges, and of course DNA. With that understanding, it is safe to say that some people who have been executed in the past and present were wrongly executed.

Thirdly, opponents argue that it is a cruel and unusual punishment because people suffer from the various tactics. The electric chair, for example, located in Florida State Prison was notorious for malfunctioning in its final years. Specific cases are as follows:

Jesse Tafero (executed May 4, 1990 but was innocent; the latter will explain), Pedro Medina (executed March 25, 1997), and Allen Lee Davis (executed July 7, 1999).

After their heads were engulfed with flames, questions were raised if such practice was safe or cruel and unusual; the

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