Death Penalty for Those Involved in Drug Killings

The Senate debates a bill (S2455) introduced by Senator D’Amato that would provide a death penalty for persons found guilty in a drug-related murder. In addition to D’Amato, Senator Gramm supported the bill. Both argue that a death penalty is necessary because not only would it provide severe punishment but also it could be used to gain information on drug kingpins as “triggermen” would be more apt to talk under the threat of a death penalty. Opposing the bill are Senators Levin and Kennedy. They base their argument not only on constitutional and moral grounds but also on practical grounds. The latter category includes the argument that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent and that the legal system occasionally makes mistakes which, under this bill, may result in a wrongful death. close