Why death Penalty should be eliminated- Persuasive Speech- Working Outline

Why the death penalty in the USA should be eliminated

I. Introduction

A. He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." -John 8:7

B. The origin of the term Capital Punishment: Latin word Capitalis, “regarding the head”.

C. Origin of term Capital Crime

D. The four most populated countries: USA, India, China and Indonesia have not banished death penalty.

E. Among others, countries that allow the death penalty are: Afghanistan, Cuba, Guatemala, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Sudan, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

F. Among others, countries that have abolished death penalty: Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Austria, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Haiti, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Yugoslavia

G. US states that still allow death penalty, 36 in total, but most convictions come from southern states: Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia.

II. Supporting arguments

A. death penalty does not deter the crime rates more that Life without Parole

B. Police does not believe death penalty reduces the incidence of violent crimes

C. The death penalty is an arbitrary punishment.

D. There is no way to undo the damages done.

E. Prohibited by the 8^th amendment to the US Constitution.

F. There is no exclusion in the death penalty once sentenced. Mentally ill are also executed.

G. It is more expensive than Life without parole.

H. Disparity:

1. If the victim is white, the criminal is more likely to get sentenced to death penalty.

2. Poor people are more likely to get death sentence

I. Morality: two wrongs do not make a right. Are we re-enforcing that retributive justice is allowed?

III. Conclusion

A. Overall, the justice system is more just and equal to all if the death penalty is removed.

B. We cannot play God and decide to kill others in retribution.

C. "We oppose the death penalty not just for what it does to those guilty of heinous crimes, but for what it does to all of us: it offers the tragic illusion that we can defend life by taking life." -- Most Rev. Joseph A.