Capital punishment is defined as the execution of a criminal by the state. In simpler form: legalized murder. This is an extravagant public policy that produces virtually no benefit. Violence of all kinds has become a part of our cultural routine. The death penalty only encourages vengeance as a way to overcome grief. Does it really provide satisfactory closure for the victim? Since 1976, when the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty to be a legitimate …showed first 75 words of 995 total…

…showed last 75 words of 995 total…the Death Penalty Cruel and Unusual?” Speakout.com 3 May 2000. 20 Feb. 2001 <http://www.speakout..com/issues/briefs/1230/>. Bedau, Hugo Adam. “The Case Against the Death Penalty.” American Civil Liberties Union Freedom Network (1997). 20 Feb. 2001 <http://www.aclu.org/library/case_against_ Death.html>. Morrow, Lance. “Why I Changed My Mind on the Death Penalty.” Time.com 3 May 2000. 20 Feb. 2001 <http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,44196,00.html>. Rohatyn, Felix G. “America’s Deadly Image.” Washington Post 20 Feb. 2001, op-ed.