Post by sclcookie on Jun 3, 2006 14:41:53 GMT -5
Americans OK with Death Penalty for Murder
Many adults in the United States believe capital punishment is adequate
for specific crimes, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today.
65 % of respondents are in favour of the death penalty for a person
convicted of murder.
Since 1976, 1,025 people have been put to death in the United States,
including 21 during 2006. More than 1/3 of all executions have taken place
in the state of Texas. 12 states and the District of Columbia do not
engage in capital punishment, and a moratorium on executions has been
issued in Illinois.
Despite the high support for the death penalty, Americans remain divided
on the appropriate punishment for murder. 48 % of respondents would prefer
life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole, while 47 %
think capital punishment is preferable.
On Jun. 1, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that specific facts, such as a
defendants "extraordinarily damaging childhood" must be taken into account
during the sentencing process of every case where the death penalty is a
possibility. In previous occasions, the standard was only applied in cases
where a defendant suffered from severe mental illnesses.
Polling Data
Are you in favour of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?
May 2006 --- Oct. 2005 --- Oct. 2004
In favour 65% --- 64% --- 64%
Opposed 28% --- 30% --- 31%
Not sure 7% --- 6% --- 5%
If you could choose between the following 2 approaches, which do you think
is the better penalty for murder?
May 2006 --- Feb. 2001
The death penalty 47% --- 54%
Life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole 48% --- 42%
No opinion 5% --- 4%
[source: Gallup / USA Today- Methodology: Telephone interviews to 500
American adults, conducted from May 5 to May 7, 2006. Margin of error is 5
%]
(source: Angus Reid Global Scan)
Many adults in the United States believe capital punishment is adequate
for specific crimes, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today.
65 % of respondents are in favour of the death penalty for a person
convicted of murder.
Since 1976, 1,025 people have been put to death in the United States,
including 21 during 2006. More than 1/3 of all executions have taken place
in the state of Texas. 12 states and the District of Columbia do not
engage in capital punishment, and a moratorium on executions has been
issued in Illinois.
Despite the high support for the death penalty, Americans remain divided
on the appropriate punishment for murder. 48 % of respondents would prefer
life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole, while 47 %
think capital punishment is preferable.
On Jun. 1, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that specific facts, such as a
defendants "extraordinarily damaging childhood" must be taken into account
during the sentencing process of every case where the death penalty is a
possibility. In previous occasions, the standard was only applied in cases
where a defendant suffered from severe mental illnesses.
Polling Data
Are you in favour of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?
May 2006 --- Oct. 2005 --- Oct. 2004
In favour 65% --- 64% --- 64%
Opposed 28% --- 30% --- 31%
Not sure 7% --- 6% --- 5%
If you could choose between the following 2 approaches, which do you think
is the better penalty for murder?
May 2006 --- Feb. 2001
The death penalty 47% --- 54%
Life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole 48% --- 42%
No opinion 5% --- 4%
[source: Gallup / USA Today- Methodology: Telephone interviews to 500
American adults, conducted from May 5 to May 7, 2006. Margin of error is 5
%]
(source: Angus Reid Global Scan)