Supporters of capital punishment argue those condemned to die are getting their "just desserts." Opponents oftentimes argue a religious objection or point to the numerous wrongful convictions as reason enough to end the practice.

Please review the materials below before responding to the discussion prompt.

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• Indiana commissioned a study in 2015 to explore the cost of adding additional circumstances that could lead to someone facing the death penalty. In this study, they found the cost of the death penalty trial is more than a non-death penalty trial. To learn more, review the Indiana Death Penalty FactsLinks to an external site.(Links to an external site.)
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• Is it justice? Or is it vengeance?(Links to an external site.)- This news story discusses Indiana's death penalty and poses the question of whether or not it should continue. The Indiana Supreme Court ruled in early 2018 that executions could continue in Indiana. But should they?
• The video below provides more information on this topic:

Consider the points made in this death penalty debate from Vanderbilt Law School:

After reviewing the material, what are your thoughts? Is the death penalty still a viable punishment in the United States? Is it worth the cost even though we know it costs more than someone spending life in prison? Is there a deterrent effect?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The debate over the death penalty is complex and multifaceted encompassing moral ethical financial and practical considerations The materials provided ... View the full answer