Post by SoulTrainOz on Jul 21, 2006 1:37:24 GMT -5
Many adults in the Badger State would be in favour of capital punishment if a murder conviction is supported by DNA evidence, according to a poll by the University of Wisconsin Survey Center. 55.6 % of respondents say they would allow the death penalty in these cases.
In May, the Wisconsin Assembly approved a resolution to hold an advisory referendum on whether voters favour the death penalty in 1st-degree murder convictions supported by DNA evidence. Wisconsin has the longest capital punishment ban of any American state, which dates back to the 1850s.
Since 1976, 1,032 people have been put to death in the United States, including 28 during 2006. More than 1/3 of all executions have taken place in the state of Texas. 14 states and the District of Columbia do not engage in capital punishment, and a moratorium on executions has been issued in Illinois.
Wisconsin residents remain divided on the appropriate punishment for murder. 49.6 % of respondents favour life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole, while 44.7 % think the death penalty is preferable.
Polling Data
Should the death penalty be enacted in the state of Wisconsin for cases involving a person who is convicted of 1st-degree intentional homicides, if the conviction is supported by DNA evidence?
Yes----55.6%
No----37.3%
Dont know----5.9%
Refused----1.2%
If you could choose between the following two approaches, which do you think is the better penalty for murder: the death penalty or life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole?
Life with no parole----49.6%
Death penalty-----44.7%
Dont know----5.1%
Refused----0.6%
(source: University of Wisconsin Survey Center-----Methodology: Telephone interviews with 508 Wisconsin adults, conducted from Jun. 23 to Jul. 2, 2006. Margin of error is 4 %)
(source: Angus Reid Survey)
In May, the Wisconsin Assembly approved a resolution to hold an advisory referendum on whether voters favour the death penalty in 1st-degree murder convictions supported by DNA evidence. Wisconsin has the longest capital punishment ban of any American state, which dates back to the 1850s.
Since 1976, 1,032 people have been put to death in the United States, including 28 during 2006. More than 1/3 of all executions have taken place in the state of Texas. 14 states and the District of Columbia do not engage in capital punishment, and a moratorium on executions has been issued in Illinois.
Wisconsin residents remain divided on the appropriate punishment for murder. 49.6 % of respondents favour life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole, while 44.7 % think the death penalty is preferable.
Polling Data
Should the death penalty be enacted in the state of Wisconsin for cases involving a person who is convicted of 1st-degree intentional homicides, if the conviction is supported by DNA evidence?
Yes----55.6%
No----37.3%
Dont know----5.9%
Refused----1.2%
If you could choose between the following two approaches, which do you think is the better penalty for murder: the death penalty or life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole?
Life with no parole----49.6%
Death penalty-----44.7%
Dont know----5.1%
Refused----0.6%
(source: University of Wisconsin Survey Center-----Methodology: Telephone interviews with 508 Wisconsin adults, conducted from Jun. 23 to Jul. 2, 2006. Margin of error is 4 %)
(source: Angus Reid Survey)