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Should the death penalty be legal?
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Death penalty

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Discussion questions

  1. Should the death penalty be legal in the United States? Why or why not?
  2. If the death penalty is legal, which forms of execution should be legal? Explain your answer.
  3. If the death penalty is illegal, what (if any) forms of punishment should replace capital punishment? Explain your answer.
  4. What questions do you have after reading the debate above? Where might you find answers?
  5. What was the most interesting thing you learned from this debate?
  6. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? How and why?. If your thoughts have not changed, explain how and why you better understand the other side of the debate.
  7. Push for the position and policies you support by writing local officials, U.S. senators and representatives, or other people in a position to make the change you champion.

Sources

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  55. “Pennsylvania Governor Halts Death Penalty While ‘Error Prone’ System Reviewed” (February 14, 2015), cnn.com
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  60. Jessica Masulli Reyes, “Supreme Court: Executions off for Those on Death Row” (December 15, 2016), delawareonline.com
  61. Rachel La Corte, “Washington Justices Toss Death Penalty as Arbitrary, Unfair” (October 11, 2018), theolympian
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  65. “Gov. Gavin Newsom to Block California Death Row Executions, Close San Quentin Execution Chamber” (March 12, 2019 ), latimes.com
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  68. Bill Estep, “Could Kentucky Resume Executing Inmates? New Death-Penalty Rules Proposed” (February 14, 2018), kentucky.com
  69. “Order Barring Louisiana Executions Is Extended by 1 Year” (July 16, 2018), apnews.com
  70. “Louisiana Seeks 1-Year Extension in Halt to Executions” (July 12, 2018), nola.com
  71. Debra Goldschmidt, “Oklahoma Commission Recommends Extending Death Penalty Moratorium” (April 25, 2017), cnn.com
  72. Johnathan Baker, “In Oklahoma, Death Penalty Moratorium Will Continue Through End of 2017” (August 23, 2017), hppr.org
  73. Kelsey Gibbs, “Death Sentences Continue in Oklahoma Despite Execution Moratorium” (October 16, 2017), kfor.com
  74. Jonathan J. Cooper, “Brown to Preserve Death Penalty Ban” (February 20, 2015), mailtribune.com
  75. Zack Budryk, “New Hampshire Lawmakers Override Governor Veto to Abolish Death Penalty” (May 30, 2019), thehill.com
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  79. Lauren Dake and Conrad Wilson, “Outgoing Oregon Governor Commutes Death Row Sentences, Orders Execution Chamber Dismantled” (December13, 2022), opb.org
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  89. R.L. Cartwright, “February 13, 1906: Minnesota’s Last Legal Execution” (Feb. 12, 201), minnpost.com
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  135. Amy Howe, “Justices Allow Louisiana to Execute Buddhist over Religious Freedom Claim” (March 18, 2025), scotusblog.com
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  150. Eduardo Medina, “South Carolina Executes Second Inmate by Firing Squad” (April 11, 2025), nytimes.com
  151. Kevin Fixler, “Judge Blocks Idaho Executions Until Prison Officials Improve Media Access” (April 30, 2025), idahostatesman.com
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  154. Ted Clifford, “SC Firing Squad ‘Intended to Miss,’ Cause Inmate Extreme Suffering,’ Suit Says” (thestate.com), June 12, 2025
  155. Emma Murphy, “Oklahoma Prosecutors Can Seek Death Penalty for Child Rape on First Offense” (May 28, 2025), oklahomavoice.com
  156. C.A. Bridges, “Will Florida Use Firing Squads, Hanging, Nitrogen Gas in Executions? New Law Allows It” (June 3, 2025), usatoday.com
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