Next big step is to end death penalty

Some economists have reawakened a debate with controversial studies that claim the death penalty deters murder, an argument long since dismissed by experts. Statistics in Illinois show that the penalty of death does not deter crime.

Indeed, capital punishment in Illinois can actually serve as an incentive to those who contemplate murder.

Common sense dictates that few people about to commit capital murder weigh the consequences of their actions. This does not detract from their culpability, but it nullifies any deterrent effect that executions could have upon them. Especially in high-profile cases, police and prosecutors are often pressured into solving a crime prematurely.

A lack of thorough investigation eases the ultimate injustice. Eighteen men exonerated from Illinois' death row received significant press coverage, resulting in an appalled Gov. George Ryan commuting them all to life without parole. Most Illinoisans know that innocent people have been sentenced to death.

If potential killers begin to believe that they can get away with murder because of the widely publicized flaws in the system, it is possible they could reason that the more high profile the murder, the more likely innocent bystanders might take the fall.

Those who claim capital punishment deters murder after executions argue that a moratorium on executions, such as Illinois has now, would not be a deterrent to murder.

Although killers are still being sentenced to death in Illinois, no one has been executed for nearly a decade.

Following that reasoning, murders should be markedly on the rise here, but they are not. According to the 2006 Annual Uniform Crime Report, the murder rate has steadily declined since the last execution in 1998.

It is also a myth that Illinois' capital punishment is given out for only the most heinous crimes. Eight of the 13 people currently on Illinois' death row were condemned to death for killing only one person.

Given the fact that Kevin Taylor was convicted of killing four; Juan Luna, seven; and Larry Bright, eight, and all were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, we can conclude the Illinois' death penalty is not reserved for the worst of the worst.

Jury instructions actually favor those who kill more than one individual at a time.

During the sentencing phase of a capital trial, if more than one victim is murdered, then the jury is instructed to sentence that individual to death or life without the possibility of parole.

In capital trials where only one individual is murdered, the jury is not given that mandate. This jury typically fears that the defendant will be prowling the streets in a few years and thus chooses death.

We have addressed our concerns about the injustices of the death penalty by putting in place significant protections such as competent counsel, favorable jury instructions, numerous mandatory appeals and significant legal resources.

Since the death penalty clearly does not deter murder and could possibly create more high profile murder, we should put the ultimate safeguard in place - abolition of the death penalty.

Elliot Slosar

St. Charles

Law clerk

Appellate Defenders Office

Death Penalty

Trial Assistance

Founder, DePaul Students Against the Death Penalty