ining that which is sought. Nor is the agent willing to be the victim of felonious assault merely because an assailant knows that maiming and killing offenses are not subjected to meaningful and appropriate punishment.
Frequent arguments for capital punishment include (a) it is a deterrent against committing capital crimes, (b) it is less expensive than life imprisonment, (c) proponents are concerned for human life, (d) it serves the legitimate function of retribution, (e) those executed are the worst offenders and beyond rehabilitation. The issue of the deterrent effect of capital punishment has probably been the one point most debated by those favoring the abolition of the death penalty as well as those desiring its retention. Proponents of the death penalty state that it is a social necessity because it effectively deters people from committing murder. At the same time, proponents contend that capital punishment must be assessed only after every legal safeguard has been provided, and that it can be properly applied only with a full understand
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