Sixty-nine Percent of Americans Support Death Penalty
Majority say death penalty is applied fairly
by Frank Newport GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- Gallup's annual October Gallup Poll Social Series update on Americans' attitudes toward crime shows no diminution in Americans' strong support for the death penalty in cases of murder.
The full story, which contains lots of tables and graphs, can be found here:
Once again, I notice a casual reference to "innocents" on DR who have been exonerated by DNA testing.
This is repeated so often, no one even questions it anymore.
But I have to ask: what is the name of this person on DR who was exonerated by DNA evidence? I'm not talking trial error or plea bargains for life to resolve appellate issues. I'm talking actual "innocence." Who are these people?
Posts: 146 | Location: Dallas, Texas USA | Registered: November 02, 2001
Certainly, in two Texas-centric polls this week, random samples of twelve have twice, unanimously, voiced their support for the death penalty. And one of those polls was apparently in that sordid, anti-death penalty Peoples Republic of Travis County.
quote:Originally posted by KSchaefer: Once again, I notice a casual reference to "innocents" on DR who have been exonerated by DNA testing.
This is repeated so often, no one even questions it anymore.
But I have to ask: what is the name of this person on DR who was exonerated by DNA evidence? I'm not talking trial error or plea bargains for life to resolve appellate issues. I'm talking actual "innocence." Who are these people?
A very reasonable request, I think.
Posts: 2578 | Location: The Great State of Texas | Registered: December 26, 2001
quote:Originally posted by JB: That's more support than Gov. Perry got last year to be elected.
Polling 69% is like a mandate from the almighty. I bet Reagan never polled 69% as president, and he is the most popular president I can remember. I bet Ike wouldn't have polled 69% in 1945 after the Nazi's gave up.
Posts: 2138 | Location: McKinney, Texas, USA | Registered: February 15, 2001
In U.S., 64% Support Death Penalty in Cases of Murder
Half say death penalty not imposed often enough
by Frank Newport
PRINCETON, NJ -- Gallup's annual Crime Survey finds that 64% of Americans continue to support the use of the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, while 29% oppose it -- continuing a trend that has shown little change over the last seven years.
[Note that this is just talking about murder. Not "capital" murder, not "aggravated" murder, not "torturous" murder ... just garden-variety murder. That's pretty hard core!]
Posts: 2429 | Location: TDCAA | Registered: March 08, 2002
Whoa! I don't know this outfit, but they've apparently found a pro-DP sentiment that Gallup missed, even despite concerns about innocent people being executed ...
Americans Support Punishing Murder with the Death Penalty
Four-in-five respondents believe innocent people have been executed in the United States.
[NEW YORK - Nov. 9, 2010] - ... Across the country, 83 per cent of respondents support punishing homicide with the death penalty, while 13 per cent are opposed. A majority of Americans would also rely on capital punishment to punish rape (62%) and kidnapping (51%), but not armed robbery (40%).
The anti-DP crowd fight back, taking a different tack with some of their questions ...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Poll Shows Growing Support for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; Capital Punishment Ranked Lowest Among Budget Priorities
(Washington, D.C.) The Death Penalty Information Center today released the results of one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted of Americans' views on the death penalty. A national poll of 1,500 registered voters conducted by Lake Research Partners shows growing support for alternatives to the death penalty compared with previous polls. A clear majority of voters (61%) would choose a punishment other than the death penalty for murder, including life with no possibility of parole and with restitution to the victim's family (39%), life with no possibility of parole (13%), or life with the possibility of parole (9%).
From a CCA opinion today, the defense argued, "the Eighth Amendment is not a 'constitutional Gallup poll' designed to mandate whatever the day's consensus is."
Funny how they only don't want the consensus when the consensus says they lose.
Posts: 1116 | Location: Waxahachie | Registered: December 09, 2004
Then clearly they don't support the "evolving standards of decency" test from SCOTUS - because, after all, isn't that what that test really is? A constitutional Gallup poll?
Posts: 1089 | Location: UNT Dallas | Registered: June 29, 2004
I'm curious about the life with restitution to the victim's family option. How do we assess the restitution amount for the deceased victim? Do we have a hearing on the relative worth of our victim? What about inability to pay? I don't know about everyone else, but most of our murderers don't have any money, so do they get life with restitution and a built-in inability to pay defense? Is there a payment plan option?
The ridiculousness of that "option" just makes the stupidity of this "poll" even more apparent.
