Kasserine -
You keep saying:
Also, the fact that people commit murders in states that permit the death penalty proves that the possibility of being sentenced to death is not a deterrent for crimes.
You are incorrect - if you would like to talk in absolutes.
Knowing that if I murdered someone that I might get the death penalty - definitely is one of many factors in my decision NOT to murder anybody.
So.....guess there IS some deterrence factor. YMMV.
MAYBE, just MAYBE, is wouldn't matter to a some people - but then again - some people are just evil and none of your ideas of justice would make a dent in their behvaior either.
You are obviously anti-death penalty. That is fine - but for every anti- death opinion you would cite, quote, believe in, and spout - a person who believes in the death penalty could find an opposite opinion. PLENTY of proff out there to support that view in MANY different issues in our great country.
USMCFLYR