The Death Penalty

On this week’s You Are Here the controversial issue of the death penalty is discussed. With the recent execution of Troy Davis, as well as many other contentious cases, capital punishment has been under debate for quite a while, and will continue to provoke strong emotions.

This show explores the facts behind the death penalty, from a history, to where the penalty may be headed.

Reporters (in order of appearance): Rob Cromartie, Nancy Valev, Dillon Rand, Emma-Jean Weinstein, and Maggie Smolka

Producers:  Steve Burns and Maria Spiridigliozzi

We take a look at the death penalty through history with Rob Cromartie. He explores when Massachusetts abolished the death penalty and why.

While some states in the United States still use the death penalty, it’s a different story around the globe. From countries where it’s been outlawed to countries that use it much more often, Nancy Valev explores the use of Capital Punishment can vary across the world.

While we can continue to go over facts and figures, it’s the stories of personal loss and triumph that leave impressions on most people. Dillon Rand tells two different stories with two different endings, which both put the death penalty into a new perspective.

With differing views on life and death, how does the spiritual world view the death penalty? Emma-Jean Weinstein brings in perspectives from three different religions on the religious side of Capital Punishment.

Under all of this debate lies a controversy of morals. Maggie Smolka explores how people really feel about the eye-for-an-eye mentality of Capital Punishment, and why mentalities might be changing.

Many people have one view on the death penalty, either they’re for it, or against it. Bruce Fein, a constitutional lawyer and advisor to presidential candidate Ron Paul, has a different opinion. I spoke with him about the knowledge he’s gained working cases. He told me his opinions on the United States’ continued use of the death penalty. Afterwards, we talk with Stephen Bright. He deals with the death penalty almost every day. He sees it as an imperfect and outdated solution, and has worked to see its diminished use for almost thirty years. He’s the president and senior council at the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, which helps represent criminals on death row, and deals with other human rights issues- related in prisons and jails. Mr. Bright talked to me about the flaws he sees in the death penalty, and where he sees capital punishment in the future.

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