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how erratically the death sentence is unfairly rendered.

Now that the opponents' positions have been argued to some extent, this is where the devil's advocate comes in to play. Why do people support the death penalty? A few reasons are as follows: (1) supporters argue that it deters crimes; (2) criminals should lose their fundamental human rights; (3) supporters argue that those on death row are guilty as charged; (4) and finally, supporters argue that murderers need to be punished by death.

First of all, advocates argue that it deters crime. This argument really does not hold any weight, because crimes occur on a daily basis; it happens hourly, daily, weekly and yearly. It may deter one or two criminals, but not the masses. Criminals could not care less about the death penalty; they act on impulse without any care for human life. They let their anger (lust, desire, etc.) take priority and commit whatever crime they want. Some criminals murder for pleasure and continue their rampage various times to feel that rush. Serial killers support that, so the argument that the death penalty deters crime is fantasy rather than reality.

Secondly, advocates argue that criminals who kill should lose their fundamental human rights. Why shouldn't a criminal lose his rights? He committed an unlawful act which deems punishment. Because the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that one is entitled to life and liberty does not mean that one should be excluded from the death penalty. Every human being should exercise his/her human rights (because that's a birthright); however, when the law is broken, their human rights have been compromised and lost. If one kills another human, he ought to meet the same fate.

Thirdly, most criminals on death row are guilty as charged and rightfully executed. Many criminals on death row are rightfully executed due to concrete evidence that ties them to the crime(s). It may be true for notorious killers like Ted Bundy, Timothy McVeigh, Danny Rolling, and others. However, what about those innocent souls who had shady and shaky lawyers (attorneys appointed by the state because a high percentage of those on death row are poor and unable to appoint a private lawyer) that did not care to put forth the full effort to try and exonerate them? The justice system is a great tool that punishes criminals, but it is far from perfect and has failed many times.

Finally, advocates argue that the death penalty is an appropriate form of punishment for

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