Bring Back the Death Penalty in the State of Massachusetts

In 1984, the death penalty was abolished in the state of Massachusetts and should be brought back.

One reason is tradition. Ever since we were kids we were told or at least most of us were told, treat others how you would want to be treated. When people commit the crime of murder, they usually intend for it to happen and are fully aware of what is going on. Say someone is accidently killed then they wouldn’t get the death penalty, they would get charged with manslaughter. Being charged with manslaughter brings up another point, the fact that someone is being held responsible for their actions even though they did not mean to kill anyone there still is a consequence they must answer for.

When intentionally committing a heinous crime such as murdering someone your punishment should fit the crime, so you should receive the death penalty because you are also being held responsible for your actions. The court system is to get to the bottom of problems citizens are facing and decide what actions to take. Another reason is because it would bring closure to family members and friends of those who were murdered. Once you execute a killer you know there is no way they can ever commit murder again. For example, a man named Kenneth Allen McDuff had been sentenced to death on three counts of murder after noticing a young sixteen year old girl, her seventeen year old boyfriend and fifteen year old cousin. McDuff kidnapped all three, raped the girl many times then broke her neck with a broom and shot the two boys even while they pleaded with him not too. After appealing, McDuff’s sentence was reduced to life in prison then eventually reduced to McDuff being released on parole. Once out on parole, McDuff brutally tortured and killed at least four prostitutes that we know of and is suspected of more murders. Again, this all goes to show that once a murderer is executed people can get closure and there is no way they can kill again.

In cases such as “Gregg vs. Georgia” the death penalty has been ruled not a form of cruel or unusual punishment. The petitioner was a man who had robbed two men with an accomplice, and then murdered them saying it was self defense, but was found guilty on the murder charges and repealed to say that the death penalty is a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Massachusetts has not sentenced anyone to death in 68 years even though the state has come across many cases involving murder, kidnapping and torture. If the death penalty was approved in Massachusetts, then it wouldn’t replace life in prison, it would just be another option for the more vicious and horrible crimes. More than half of the states in the United States of America have the death penalty so Massachusetts would be the thirty third state as of right now.

The number one job for the court of law is to serve justice, and the death penalty is just that. It shows that the state is not weak, and is tough on crime and will not tolerate any violation of an innocent person’s rights.