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Capital punishment exploratory
Capital punishment overview
Various theoritical explanations and views on capital punishment
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The 12 Angry Men movie clearly describes the responsibility and the difficulty a jury group faces when analyzing the facts in order to make a final decision for a capital punishment case. Indeed, chapter 3 and 4 of the Death Penalty textbook contain several examples of cases which provide relevant information that portrays the complexity of dealing with death penalty verdicts. For instance, the Turner vs. Murray case describes a defendant’s right to having an impartial jury and how racial biases can influence potential jurors’ judgment. Secondly, the Ford vs. Wainwright case is a perfect example of cruel and unusual punishment during a criminal procedure, in violation of the Eight Amendment of the Constitution. The significance of comparing …show more content…
and contrasting the aforementioned movie and the two cases is basically to comprehend the relevance of the jury deliberation and conclusion during the judicial process. Whereas the 12 Angry Men movie shows jurors’ struggle to decide on guilt or innocence, the two cases mentioned previously are complicated as these are related to race and insanity issues respectively. The 12 Angry Men movie takes place in a courthouse in which a murder case is on trial and the Judge clearly states at the beginning of the movie that death sentence is mandatory.
Above all, the introduction given by the judge is crucial since he states that the jury has the responsibility to distinct the facts and determine if there is a “reasonable doubt” to believe the suspect might be innocent. The suspect is an eighteen year old adolescent accused of murdering his father according to two witnesses who testified against him. In addition, the judge explains that if the final verdict is guilty then a petition for mercy will not be accepted. The drama starts among twelve jurors who strive to reach to a unanimous agreement as indicated by the judge. The only dissenting juror in this group is able to successfully convince the other jurors that the presented evidence was not sufficient to believe the teenager is unmistakably guilty (Rose, …show more content…
1957). Eleven out of the twelve jurors were convinced that all the evidence and the testimony revealed by the two witnesses during the trial was sufficient to believe the teenager did kill his own father. However, one juror has the courage to confront every person by expressing his belief in a reasonable doubt regardless of the other juror’s prejudice and thoughts. The dissenting juror presents a few valid points such as the possibility of witnesses’ errors and the probability that another person could have committed the crime. In other words, this brave juror had the capacity of gathering pieces of testimony to evaluate its accuracy before condemning the accused for execution. At the end of the movie, due to the perseverance and intelligence of the first dissenting juror, it is concluded that there is certainly reasonable doubt about the accused guilt (Rose, 1957). In the Turner vs.
Murray case, Turner, a black male who decided to rob a jewelry store ended up shooting and killing Murray, a white male who was the owner of this store. Then, Turner was arrested and charged with capital murder. During the primary examination, Turner’s prosecutor asked the judge’s permission to interrogate jurors about any potential racial biases since the suspect was black and the victim was white. The judge declined this request and instead he decided to ask the jurors if it was possible for them to be impartial. In 1986, Turner v Murray was decided by the United States Supreme Court, “a defendant accused of an interracial crime is entitled to have prospective jurors informed of the victim’s race and questioned on the issue of racial bias” (Vollum, Del, Frantzen, San, & Cheeseman, 2015, p.
68-69). The incidents of the Ford vs. Wainwright case occurred during 1974, Ford was sentenced to capital punishment for murdering his victim. Ford was considered competent at the time of the assassination, trial period and sentencing. Whereas, after sentencing he started showing signs of apparently suffering mental deficiencies. Ford’s mental health was evaluated following proper procedures, as a result he was diagnosed with serious mental disease. However, the governor approved an official order for Ford’s execution regardless of the psychiatric reports. In 1986, the case was reviewed by the United States Supreme Court in which it was decided that executing an insane person violates the constitution. In other words, “it is a violation of the Eight Amendment to put to death a prisoner who is insane at the time of execution” and “an evidentiary hearing to determine competency must be granted” as it would not be reasonable if the person is incapable of understanding the significance of the death penalty (Vollum, Del, Frantzen, San, & Cheeseman, 2015, p. 95-96). The 12 Angry Men movie, the Turner vs Murray and Ford vs. Wainwright cases have several similarities especially regarding jury functions. The movie and the cases emphasize the importance of the role the jurors play in the criminal justice system. Jurors have the immense responsibility of studying the evidence presented by the attorneys and witnesses in order to reach a verdict. Nevertheless, it could be extremely complicated to obtain impartial input from each juror due to the fact that it varies based on personal prejudice, racial biases, beliefs, ideas, personalities and other aspects. However, these cases remain unique due to the specific circumstances in which each one occurred. Since the 12 Angry Men movie was created back in the 50’s, the technology advancement has improved and it has assisted to solve criminal cases. For example, DNA tests which can be used to accurately to recognize suspects. Finally, crime is a social issue that might be impossible to predict and even harder to control. Apparently, criminals are not deterred by the fact that in most states the death penalty is implemented for murder offenses and even when suspects could be judged by their own peers who are not familiar with law, jurors.
Second, McCleskey had to establish the extent of this treatment. Last, he had to prove that the process by which the death penalty was chosen was open to racial bias. McCleskey met all three prongs of this standard, and even though the Court’s decision denied his claim that he was not guaranteed equal protection, there is enough evidence to prove the selection process was not racially neutral and that a violation of the 14th Amendment was present. Furthermore, Justice Kennedy’s idea of “evolving standards of decency” in Roper v. Simmons (2005) demonstrates that the growing national consensus is against the death penalty and therefore in favor of equal protection for all persons. In order to prove the existence of purposeful discrimination, McCleskey must first demonstrate that he belonged to a group “that is a recognizable, distinct class, singled out for different treatment” (McCleskey v. Kemp 318).
The book “12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose is a book about twelve jurors who are trying to come to a unanimous decision about their case. One man stands alone while the others vote guilty without giving it a second thought. Throughout the book this man, the eighth juror, tries to provide a fair trial to the defendant by reviewing all the evidence. After reassessing all the evidence presented, it becomes clear that most of the men were swayed by each of their own personal experiences and prejudices. Not only was it a factor in their final decisions but it was the most influential variable when the arbitration for the defendant was finally decided.
A Gallup Poll shows that “61% of Americans view the death penalty as morally acceptable” (Muhlhausen 1). Despite this statistic, much controversy revolves around the topic of capital punishment. However, the issue very complicated. Questions related to morality, deterrence, and cost are all part of the debate. Professors David Muhlhausen and Philip Holloway take different stances on the death penalty debate in two articles. David Muhlhausen believes the death penalty should be used, whereas Phillip Holloway thinks capital punishment is not appropriate. A close examination of the rhetorical strengths and weaknesses in these articles reveals that Muhlhausen narrowly creates the more effective argument.
Even before the jury sits to take an initial vote, the third man has found something to complain about. Describing “the way these lawyers can talk, and talk and talk, even when the case is as obvious as this” one was. Then, without discussing any of the facts presented in court, three immediately voiced his opinion that the boy is guilty. It is like this with juror number three quite often, jumping to conclusions without any kind of proof. When the idea that the murder weapon, a unique switchblade knife, is not the only one of its kind, three expresses “[that] it’s not possible!” Juror eight, on the other hand, is a man who takes a much more patient approach to the task of dictating which path the defendant's life takes. The actions of juror three are antagonistic to juror eight as he tries people to take time and look at the evidence. During any discussion, juror number three sided with those who shared his opinion and was put off by anyone who sided with “this golden-voiced little preacher over here,” juror eight. His superior attitude was an influence on his ability to admit when the jury’s argument was weak. Even when a fellow juror had provided a reasonable doubt for evidence to implicate the young defendant, three was the last one to let the argument go. Ironically, the play ends with a 180 turn from where it began; with juror three
Guilty or not guilty? This the key question during the murder trial of a young man accused of fatally stabbing his father. The play 12 Angry Men, by Reginald Rose, introduces to the audience twelve members of a jury made up of contrasting men from various backgrounds. One of the most critical elements of the play is how the personalities and experiences of these men influence their initial majority vote of guilty. Three of the most influential members include juror #3, juror #10, and juror #11. Their past experiences and personal bias determine their thoughts and opinions on the case. Therefore, how a person feels inside is reflected in his/her thoughts, opinions, and behavior.
12 Angry Men is about 12 men who are the jury for an 18 year old accused of murder. The judge states in the opening scene that it is a premeditated murder in the 1st degree, if found guilty will automatically receive the death penalty. The 18 year old male is accused of killing his father with a “one of a kind” switch blade, in their home. The prosecutors have several eye witness testimonies, and all of the evidence that they could need to convict the 18 year old male. In the movie it takes place on the hottest day of the year in New York City. There are 12 jurors whom are to decide if the evidence is enough to convict the teen of murder in the first degree. In the first initial vote it is 11-1. The only way that the jurors could turn in their votes was if there was unanimous vote either guilty or not guilty among the 12 jurors. As the movie progressed the jurors ended up changing their minds as new evidence was brought to their attention by simple facts that were overlooked by the police and prosecutors in the initial investigation. Tempers were raised, and words flew, there was prejudice and laziness of a few of the jurors that affected the amount of time it took to go over all of the eye witness testimonies and evidence. The eye witness testimonies ended up being proven wrong and some of the evidence was thrown out because it was put there under false pretense.
In conclusion, we have seen that the race of the victim and the emotionality of the victim impact statements highly affects the jury’s empathy and therefore might influence their decision making. Understanding the interaction between the racial in-group/out-group and empathy may allow defense attorneys to lead jurors for harsher punishments for out-group racial groups and more lenient punishments for in-groups by playing on juror empathy and thus putting emotions before law and reason. Consequently, in any capital punishment case, race of the victim and race of the jury, could be the difference between life and death for a defendant and therefore needs to be studied further.
In America, every individual has the right to a fair trial, but how fair is the trial? When an individual is on trial, his or her life is on the line, which is decided by twelve strangers. However, who is to say that these individuals take their role seriously and are going to think critically about the case? Unfortunately, there is no way to monitor the true intentions of these individuals and what they feel or believe. In the movie, Twelve Angry Men, out of the twelve jurors’ only one was willing to make a stance against the others, even though the evidence seemed plausible against the defendant. Nevertheless, the justice system is crucial; however, it is needs be reformed.
As time goes on he becomes more and more passionate and seems to be somehow personally involved with the case. At one point, he tells the other jurors about an argument between him and his son. Juror 3 and his son had an argument which made his son run away. When his son returned to apologize, Juror 3 hit him for leaving the first time thus leading him to run away once more. He has not seen his son in two years and this has left him somewhat bitter inside. His anger toward his supposed ungrateful son is projected toward the young man on trial. Juror 3 has no concern for the life of the defendant. He makes it clear that he would have been an executioner and would have pulled the switch on the boy himself. His personal troubles have imposed on his ability to come to a verdict.
It is the firm belief and position here that committing such a crime as murder is punishable by death. Americans should take a position for anyone on death row, to be executed sooner rather than later.
... believed in the innocence of the young man and convinced the others to view the evidence and examine the true events that occurred. He struggled with the other jurors because he became the deviant one in the group, not willing to follow along with the rest. His reasoning and his need to examine things prevailed because one by one, the jurors started to see his perspective and they voted not guilty. Some jurors were not convinced, no matter how much evidence was there, especially Juror #3. His issues with his son affected his decision-making but in the end, he only examined the evidence and concluded that the young man was not guilty.
What do we know about the criminal justice system? The criminal justice system is a series of organizations that are involved in apprehending, prosecuting, defending, sentencing, and jailing those involved in crimes; along with the system, regular citizens are summoned for jury duty in order to contemplate whether the defendant is guilty or not. It appears to be a rather secure, fair, and trustworthy system; one that should work relatively well, right? Unfortunately, the criminal justice system is an ultra-costly and ultra-punitive; the system is neither protecting victims nor rehabilitating lawbreakers. For example, trial by jury; there is usually a small amount of people in the jury who actually considered that another being’s life is on the line. In trial by jury, the court is literally trusting the life of another being in the hands of twelve strangers who need to argue with each other like kids until they conclude a verdict. In the play, Twelve Angry Men, a group of men are summoned for jury duty and almost all of the men would rather conclude a verdict immediately and leave; except for one, Juror #8. He managed to detain the group by requesting for a discussion of the murder trial before voting “guilty” or “not guilty.” Not once did Juror #8 allow the others to influence him unless they had a valid explanation.
Is the death penalty fair? Is it humane? Does it deter crime? The answers to these questions vary depending on who answers them. The issue of capital punishment raises many debates. These same questions troubled Americans just as much in the day of the Salem witch trials as now in the say of Timothy McVeigh. During the time of the Salem witchcraft trials they had the same problem as present society faces. Twenty innocent people had been sentenced to death. It was too late to reverse the decision and the jurors admitted to their mistake. The execution of innocent people is still a major concern for American citizens today.
It's dark and cold, the fortress-like building has cinderblock walls, and death lurks around the perimeter. A man will die tonight. Under the blue sky, small black birds gather outside the fence that surrounds the building to flaunt their freedom. There is a gothic feel to the scene, as though you have stepped into a horror movie.
576). In 12 Angry Men, the jury that is voting is a death-qualified jury and all but one wants to convict. They are more prejudiced towards this Hispanic boy who could very well be innocent. In Young’s (2004) study, he proved that death-qualified juries were more likely to have prejudiced views of minorities that they are more willing to convict. In this study, he took a poll that resulted in the death-qualified juries saying that it is worse to let the guilty go free than to convict an innocent person. In both the film and Young’s (2004) study, it is shown that death-qualified juries are very quick to convict when they have someone’s life in their