Diiscussion Questions:
——You don’t have to answer every question below, but you do need to answer at least 5 questions. Basically, answer the ones that are most appealing to you.
1) Often when most American citizens commit death penalty offenses in other countries, we quickly smuggle them out of those countries and rush them back home on the false premise that the American Criminal Justice [CJ] system is better. Regardless of your opinion about our CJ system in comparison to other countries, do you believe we have the right to execute [kill] undocumented citizens who commit death penalty offenses in the U.S.? For example, Texas has executed Mexican citizens who committed capital offenses, refusing Mexico’s request to return them back to Mexico to trial them in the Mexican CJ system. If so, why or why not?
2) Do you believe individuals who, in the heat of their passion for a social movement, commit capital offenses during peaceful protest match should be put to death? Why or why not?
3) The police departments in our country, especially their S.W.A.T. teams, are more militarized today than ever in the history of the United States. What are your thoughts on this issue?
4) Aside from the obvious crimes that warrant death penalty, which additional criminal offenses do you believe should be added to or removed from death penalty cases? For example, drug related crimes, rapists, child molesters, etc.
5) Do you believe we should abolish the death penalty, especially for drug related cases including drug deals that went awry?
6) Do you believe minorities are disproportionately given the death penalty compared to the majority (whites) in America, especially for drug related cases or offenses where the perpetrator was high on drugs?
7) Do you believe evil exist, and if so, without using examples of crime and criminal behaviors, what is your definition of evil?
8) Who or what do you think instigates crimes that are considered particularly evil? Do you believe these cases should warrant the death penalty?
9) Do you believe the use of drugs, to some extent entice people to evil deeds, an act so heinous that death penalty becomes imperative?
10) Do you believe the death penalty should be abolished – why or why not?
here is further breakdown of how to participate on the discussion for the six days/dates (or more) required to earn full points for the class online discussion:
Jose Orozco
Question 2
2) Do you believe individuals who, in the heat of their passion for a social movement, commit capital
offenses during peaceful protest match should be put to death? Why or why not?
This question is very tricky. During a peaceful protest there are a lot of emotions but the general
consensus is that there is no agitation even when you are being agitated by others. If this heat of the
passion offense was due to defending oneself, then no they should not be put to death. Now, of course
if you committed this offense because you were carrying a rifle at a peaceful protest, then maybe you
were perceived as a threat and that is the reason why you were attacked, then you should be put to
death because you initiated that contact by intimidating others and you were not a law enforcement
officer. I had to make that statement clear because we have these type of people at protests that try to
turn it violent.
Dedra Johnson
Question # 10
10) Do you believe the death penalty should be abolished – why or why not?
Yes , I truly believe that the death penalty should be abolished because this system is flawed just like
anything else. The difference is that if you wrongfully convict someone of a crime, you are able to right
that wrong. But with death you can’t right that wrong. Once that person is dead they are gone forever.
Besides we are all with sin and we should let that decision be made by the highest.
Erik Montoya
Question 10
10) Do you believe the death penalty should be abolished – why or why not?
I do not believe that the death penalty should be abolished. I think there are some crimes that
definitively deserve to have the death penalty. If a person kills one or more than one individual without
being in self defense or a justifiable cause then I do belive the death penalty should be used. It doesn’t
matter if the killer was on drugs or mentally ill they should be punished for their actions and not their
health status.
Taneika Jackson
Weeks 9&10 Discussion Board
4. Aside from the obvious crimes that warrant death penalty, which additional criminal offenses do you
believe should be added or removed from death penalty cases? For example, drug related crimes,
rapists, child molestors, etc.
The death penalty is a form of capital punishment that should be reserved for the most heinous, brutal
and degrading crimes against society. Currently such capital offenses include murder, treason, terrorism
and war crimes, which are each punishable by death. Additional crimes that need to be included as
death penalty cases should consist of rape, child abuse, sexual abuse of a child and any other crimes
committed against women and children in a sexual, physical and abusive manner. These particular
categories of individuals, along with the elderly population, represent the most vulnerable, defenseless
and innocent members of society and for their safety to be damaged permanently by any deviant should
be an act punishable by death. Perhaps if perpertrators of such crimes were faced with the
consequence of death as their ultimate fate, it’s possible that a drastic reduction in these crimes would
occur.
Stella Obichukwu
10, Do you believe the death penalty should be abolished why or why not?
The death penalty is the execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law
of a criminal offense. I do not think the death penalty should be abolished, because without the health
penalty some criminals would continue to commit crimes. It is the best deterrent when it comes to
discouraging people from carrying out the worst crimes It is quick, painless, and humane.
April Ramirez
Weeks 9 & 10 Questions 2
2. Do you beleive individuals who, in the heat of their passion for a social movement, commit capital
offenses during peaceful protest match should be put to death? Why or why not?
No, I do not believe someone should be put to death for a social movement they are passionate about
because we all do things in the heat of the moment and not realize what we done until it’s done. I’m not
saying they shouldn’t have any consequences but death is too extreme they should serve jail time
depending on the crime.