California allows the death penalty as an option in the following cases: first-degree murder with special circumstances, treason, homicide by a prisoner serving a life sentence, train wrecking, and perjury causing execution. There are many methods that are used in different states. There is Lethal Injection, Electrocution, Gas Chamber, Hanging, and Firing Squad. In California the sentence is death by lethal injection and lethal gas. Lethal injection will be used if the prisoner fails to specify a method.

The U.S. retained the death penalty, but has established limitation on capital punishment. One limitation is on Mental Illness and Retardation. In 1989, the Court stated that exe

Personally, I do not believe in the death penalty. I think that as long as death penalty is an option, there is the possibility that innocent people will be wrongfully accused. Today we have many more techniques such as DNA testing, but there are still chances that innocent lives will be taken. An example of this was when Greg Wilhoit spent six years on death row for a crime that he didn’t commit. The wrongful execution of a person is something that can never be repaired.

Studies have shown that Capital Punishment does not deter crime (Thorsten Sellin Studies of the U.S. 1962,1967, and 1980). This is a growing issue because no one can answer the question of what certain criminals deserve and if its reasonable punishment. Another factor of death penalty that amazes me is the funds that the families of the murder victims pay. I can’t say how I would react if a family member of mine was murdered, but I do know that an execution could not heal the wounds or end any pain. Some families say that it makes them feel more secure knowing that criminal is no longer around, and others will say that it is what they deserved. Of course these families are undergoing trauma and loss but death penalty is not the answer, it is just trying to take the easiest way out. I think that the families of the victims would benefit a lot more if the money that is going towards the execution process is spent on counseling or other helpful assistance. All in all, I think that murder is intolerable and any form of it, even state-authorized killings

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