Mead Shumway of Nebraska, was convicted of the first degree murder of his employer's wife on circumstantial evidence and sentenced to death by jury. His last words before his execution were: "I am an innocent man. May God forgive everyone who said anything against me." The next year, the victim's husband confessed on his deathbed that he [the husband] had murdered his [own] wife Radelet, Bedau, Putnam 347. There are an uncertain numerous amount of incidents similar to the one depicted above, that have repeatedly occurred throughout the course of history. Two highly distinguishable figures in the area of capital...
that have abolished executions and become a much safer country. But because the United States has used the death penalty throughout the course of history, many are having difficulty understanding the advantages that come with the abolition of the death penalty. Everyone agrees that risking the lives of innocent people is a damaging effect of the death penalty, but the majority cannot come to terms on a better alternative. Life sentences without parole can guarantee that no one will be wrongfully executed, while saving the nation hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on other more beneficial social programs.