The Tide Shifts Against the Death Penalty

Daniel Contreras
Professor Jacinto Gardea
ENGL P050 CRN 32356
9 February 2011

The "Demise" of the Death Penalty
According to Richard Lacayo, "Capital punishment has a lot less life in it." He explains how executions have declined since 1999, the peak of executions by the death penalty. Lacayo points out that almost all executions are carried out exclusively in the South, most notably Texas. He also points out that 14 out of 50 states have done away with the death penalty entirely. The availability of DNA evidence has permitted numerous prisoners to be released from death row. "That's had a ripple effect," claims Richard Dieter. "The whole system has become [much] more cautious about the death penalty," says Dieter (2).
Kirk Bloodsworth’s case highlights the importance of using DNA testing on death row inmates to determine whether or not they are innocent. In the mid 80’s, Bloodsworth was charged for first degree murder, sexual assault, and rape against a nine year old girl. His sentence was death. Not until eight years later did they agree to DNA testing. By using both Polymerase chain reaction and DNA testing they concluded that Bloodsworth was not at fault. He became the first in history to be exonerated from death row by the means of DNA testing. Bloodsworth went on to become a member of Maryland’s commission against the death penalty ("The Innocence Project").
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley claims that the death penalty is “outdated, expensive, and utterly ineffective” (2). Baltimore Senator Lisa Gladden comments that the the commission report confirms her knowledge about the death penalty. Gladden agrees that the death penalty is expensive, unjust and a useless deterrent against crime (4).

Works Cited
"The Innocence Project - Know the Cases: Browse Profiles:Kirk Bloodsworth." The Innocence Project - Home. Web. 08 Feb. 2011. .
Lacayo, Richard. "The Tide Shifts Against the Death Penalty - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 3 Feb. 2009. Web. 07 Feb. 2011. .

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