Top 5 Facts About Capital Punishment

Summary

This video script from watchmojo.com delves into the complexities of capital punishment, highlighting historical practices from the Code of Hammurabi to modern-day controversies. It discusses the end of special last meal requests in Texas due to an inmate's excessive order, the search for alternative execution methods due to drug shortages, and the debate on the death penalty's effectiveness as a deterrent. The script also reveals that in California, the death penalty is more costly than life imprisonment, challenging the notion of capital punishment as a just and economical solution.

Takeaways

• 📜 Ancient Babylonians had a death penalty for around 30 crimes, each with a specific form of execution.
• 🍽️ Texas discontinued serving special last meals to death row inmates in 2011 after Lawrence Brewer's excessive order and subsequent refusal to eat it.
• 💉 Some U.S. states are reverting to older execution methods or experimenting with new drugs due to a shortage of lethal injection ingredients.
• 🤔 A significant majority of top criminologists in the U.S. do not believe the death penalty is an effective deterrent to murder.
• 💲 The cost of the death penalty in California is significantly higher than life imprisonment, averaging about 308 million dollars per execution.
• 🏛️ The Code of Hammurabi, from the 18th century BC, is one of the earliest written laws concerning capital punishment.
• 🥩 Lawrence Brewer's last meal request included an extensive list of items, which he did not end up eating, leading to the end of special last meal requests in Texas.
• 🗳️ A study showed that most experts believe the death penalty distracts from implementing real crime prevention solutions.
• 🛡️ An embargo from the European Union affected the availability of lethal injection drugs, prompting states to consider alternative execution methods.
• 📊 A report by the National Research Council found that studies claiming the death penalty as a deterrent were flawed and unreliable.
• 🏥 The high costs associated with death penalty trials, appeals, and incarceration make it a less cost-effective option compared to life sentences.

Q & A

What is the historical origin of capital punishment mentioned in the script?

The earliest set of written laws concerning capital punishment can be found in the Code of Hammurabi, dating back to the 18th century BC.

How many different crimes warranted the death penalty according to the Code of Hammurabi?

Some 30 different crimes warranted the death penalty each with its own form of execution depending on the crime.

Why did Texas stop serving last meals to death row inmates in 2011?

Texas stopped serving last meals in 2011 after convicted murderer Lawrence Brewer abused the process by ordering an excessively large final meal, leading to the state deciding to no longer fulfill special last meal requests.

What was Lawrence Brewer's last meal request that led to the change in Texas' policy?

Brewer ordered two chicken-fried steaks with gravy and onions, a triple patty bacon cheeseburger, a cheese omelet, a bowl of fried okra with ketchup, 1 pound of barbecued meat, 3 fajitas, a meatlovers pizza, one pint of Blue Bell ice cream, some peanut butter fudge with crushed nuts, and three root beers.

What alternative methods of execution have states in the US considered due to the 2011 embargo from the European Union?

As a result of the embargo, states have passed laws to use old discarded methods of execution as backup, such as Utah bringing back firing squads, Tennessee using the electric chair, and Oklahoma deciding on the gas chamber and potentially nitrogen.

What was the Supreme Court's decision on the use of a new drug for lethal injections that resulted in excruciating deaths?

The Supreme Court upheld the use of the new drug, midazolam, for lethal injections in 2015, despite the reported excruciating deaths in Ohio and Arizona.

What did the study published by the University of Colorado in 2009 reveal about the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent to murder?

According to the study, 88% of the top criminologists in the United States surveyed said they don't believe the death penalty is an effective deterrent to murder.

What did the National Research Council's 2012 report conclude about the studies claiming the death penalty as a deterrent to crime?

The report concluded that studies claiming the death penalty as a deterrent were based on flawed methodology and should not be considered when determining policy, as they fail to take into account key information such as non-capital punishment options.

How much did the death penalty cost California taxpayers since its reinstatement in 1978 according to the 2011 study?

Since 1978, California taxpayers have spent approximately four billion dollars to execute a total of 13 prisoners, which equates to about 308 million dollars for each execution.

What is the cost comparison between a death penalty prosecution and a life without parole case in California?

A death penalty prosecution costs up to 20 times as much as a life without parole case in California.

What does the script suggest about the future of capital punishment in the United States?

The script does not explicitly suggest the future of capital punishment but highlights the ongoing debates, cost issues, and alternative methods of execution that states are considering.

Outlines

00:00

🗡️ Ancient Death Penalty Practices

This paragraph delves into the historical roots of capital punishment, highlighting the Code of Hammurabi from the 18th century BC as the earliest written laws on the subject. It outlines various forms of execution for around 30 different crimes, such as hanging for burglary, being thrown into a fire for theft during a fire, and drowning for adultery or rape, showcasing the severity and variety of ancient Babylonian punishments.

05:00

🍽️ Last Meal Controversies in Texas

The focus here is on the controversy surrounding the last meal requests of death row inmates, particularly in Texas. The case of convicted murderer Lawrence Brewer is central, where his excessively large last meal order led to public outrage and the subsequent discontinuation of special last meal requests by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The paragraph also touches on the irony of Brewer not eating any of his extravagant order, which contributed to the change in policy.

💉 Execution Methods and Challenges

This section discusses the challenges faced by U.S. states in carrying out capital punishment due to an embargo from the European Union that affected the availability of lethal injection drugs. As a result, states have resorted to reviving older methods of execution, such as firing squads in Utah, the electric chair in Tennessee, and the gas chamber in Oklahoma. It also mentions Oklahoma's consideration of nitrogen as a new method and the use of a controversial drug for lethal injections that has caused distressing deaths but was upheld by the Supreme Court.

🕵️‍♂️ Doubts Over the Deterrent Effect of Capital Punishment

The paragraph examines the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent to murder, citing a study that indicates a majority of top U.S. criminologists do not believe it serves as a deterrent. It further discusses the belief that the death penalty distracts from enacting real solutions and criticizes studies claiming it as a deterrent as flawed and unreliable due to their failure to consider non-capital punishment options.

💼 The High Cost of Capital Punishment in California

This paragraph presents a financial analysis of capital punishment in California, revealing that since its reinstatement in 1978, the state has spent approximately four billion dollars on executing 13 prisoners, amounting to about 308 million dollars per execution. It breaks down the costs into trial costs, appeals, and incarceration, and contrasts this with the finding that a life without parole case is significantly less expensive, suggesting that the death penalty is not a cost-effective policy.

Keywords

💡Capital Punishment

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the legal process whereby a person is sentenced to death for a crime. In the video, it is the central theme, with various facts presented about its history, implementation, and controversy. For example, the video mentions the Code of Hammurabi as one of the earliest written laws concerning capital punishment, dating back to the 18th century BC.

💡Last Meal

A 'last meal' is a customary request granted to death row inmates before their execution, allowing them to choose their final meal. The video discusses the case of Lawrence Brewer, who ordered an excessively large last meal, leading to Texas ceasing to fulfill special last meal requests due to the perceived abuse of the process.

💡Death Row

Death row refers to the section of a prison where inmates awaiting execution are held. The video touches on the practice of granting last meals to death row inmates and the subsequent policy change in Texas due to one inmate's actions.

💡Lethal Injection

Lethal injection is a method of execution that involves the use of drugs to cause death. The video discusses how an embargo from the European Union affected the availability of these drugs, leading some states to consider alternative methods of execution.

💡Firing Squad

A firing squad is a method of capital punishment where a group of people fire firearms at the condemned person. The video mentions that Utah brought back firing squads as an optional method for prisoners, illustrating the shift back to older methods of execution due to drug shortages.

💡Electric Chair

The electric chair is an execution method that uses electric current to cause death. It is highlighted in the video as Tennessee's backup method for execution, showing a return to older practices in the absence of lethal injection drugs.

💡Gas Chamber

A gas chamber is an execution method where the condemned is killed by exposure to lethal gas. The video notes that Oklahoma decided on the gas chamber as a backup execution method, indicating a state's adaptation to the lack of lethal injection drugs.

💡Nitrogen Execution

Nitrogen execution is a proposed method of capital punishment using nitrogen gas to cause asphyxiation. The video mentions that Oklahoma could become the first state to use nitrogen for executions, showcasing an innovative approach to capital punishment.

💡Deterrents

In the context of the video, 'deterrent' refers to the idea that the death penalty might discourage potential criminals from committing serious crimes. However, the video cites studies and experts who doubt the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent.

💡Cost-Effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness in the video pertains to the financial implications of capital punishment compared to life imprisonment. It is noted that in California, the death penalty is more expensive than life in prison, with a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with trials, appeals, and incarceration.

💡Criminologists

Criminologists are experts in the study of crime and its causes. The video references a study by the University of Colorado, where 88% of surveyed top criminologists in the United States do not believe the death penalty is an effective deterrent to murder, emphasizing the professional skepticism towards capital punishment.

Highlights

Capital punishment has a long history, dating back to the Code of Hammurabi in the 18th century BC.

Ancient Babylonians prescribed the death penalty for 30 different crimes with various execution methods.

In Texas, the practice of granting special last meal requests to death row inmates was discontinued in 2011.

Lawrence Brewer's excessive last meal order led to the end of the last meal request practice in Texas.

Some states are reverting to older execution methods due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs.

Utah has reintroduced firing squads, Tennessee is using the electric chair, and Oklahoma is considering the gas chamber and nitrogen hypoxia.

Experts largely doubt the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent to murder.

A 2009 study found that 88% of top US criminologists do not believe capital punishment deters murder.

A 2012 report by the National Research Council criticized studies claiming the death penalty as a deterrent due to flawed methodology.

The cost of capital punishment in California is significantly higher than life imprisonment.

Since 1978, California has spent approximately $4 billion on capital punishment for 13 executions.

A death penalty trial in California costs up to 20 times more than a life without parole case.

The transcript discusses the ethical and practical implications of capital punishment in the United States.

Watchmojo.com explores various aspects of capital punishment, including history, methods, and cost-effectiveness.

The video transcript provides a critical examination of capital punishment, questioning its purpose and societal impact.

The death penalty continues to be a contentious issue with ongoing debates about its morality and practicality.

The video encourages viewers to subscribe to watchmojo.com for more top-ten lists and informative content.

Transcripts

don't expect a last-minute call from the

governor to save you

welcome to watchmojo.com ting down our

picks for the most interesting facts we

could find about capital punishment

kxan's david scott' tells us why the

last meal that Brewer ordered was the

last straw most of the research we found

related to capital punishment in the

United States and so the majority of our

facts relate to the United States you

have anything to say before sentence is

carried out up source what I am number

five

ancient Babylonians would kill you for

anything why does nobody ever thought

anything the death penalty goes way back

the earliest set of written laws

concerning capital punishment can be

found in the Code of Hammurabi dating

back to the 18th century BC some 30

different crimes warranted the death

penalty each with its own form of

execution depending on the crime you

know what let's just agree to disagree

my friend okay

for example those who were convicted of

burglary were hanged those who were

caught stealing items during a fire were

thrown into that same fire and those who

were found guilty of adultery or rape

were drowned committing incest bigamy

kidnapping fraud or many other crimes

also meant being put to death

number 4 Texas stopped serving last

meals in 2011 they fixed me a pretty

decent steak for my last meal they even

throw in a brew one person can really

ruin it for everyone after convicted

murderer Lawrence Brewer quote abused

the process by ordering an excessively

large final meal the state decided to no

longer fulfill special last meal

requests for death row inmates Brewer

had ordered two chicken-fried steaks

with gravy and onions a triple patty

bacon cheeseburger a cheese omelet a

bowl of fried okra with ketchup 1 pound

of barbecued meat 3 fajitas a meatlovers

pizza one pint of Blue Bell ice cream

some peanut butter fudge with crushed

nuts and three root beers is this a meal

to die for

Russell Brewer apparently thought so

however when Brewer got the order he

wasn't hungry and reportedly didn't eat

any of it outraged by this action one

state senator wrote a letter to the

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

asking them to end the practice of last

meal requests and the department

complied to be honest of osburgh to be

executed either ago but he ate my last

meal well that's the worst thing that

happens to you today consider yourself

lucky number three states are scrambling

to find new ways to kill inmates way to

kill yours and by new ways we actually

mean going back to old ways in 2011 an

embargo from the European Union

prevented drug companies from getting

key ingredients for lethal injections to

the US as a result various states have

passed laws to use old discarded methods

of execution as backup in case they no

longer have access to the drugs Utah has

brought back firing squads which were

previously optional for prisoners

Tennessee is using the electric chair as

their backup and Oklahoma decided on the

gas chamber now it approved Oklahoma

could become the first state to use

nitrogen to execute inmates

Oklahoma has also decided to experiment

with a new drug for lethal injections my

docile am which has resulted in

excruciating deaths in Ohio and Arizona

but was upheld by the Supreme Court in

2015

number two experts doubt it deters

murder it's the only way we can be sure

that they will not kill again according

to a study published by the University

of Colorado in 2009 88% of the top

criminologists in the United States

surveyed said they don't believe the

death penalty is an effective deterrent

to murder they know are just as stupid

as these guys who think capital

punishments gonna be a deterrent for

drug kingpins in fact 75% of the same

criminologists believe that the death

penalty serves as a distraction

preventing state legislature and

Congress from enacting real solutions if

those numbers aren't convincing enough a

2012 report by the National Research

Council looked at more than 30 years of

data and concluded that studies which

claimed that the death penalty was a

deterrent to crime were based on flawed

methodology and should not be considered

when determining policy call me

sentimental but I'd rather see him cry

the report concluded that these studies

are unreliable since they fail to take

into account key information such as non

capital punishment options so the model

of capital punishment as a deterrent

isn't credible as if drug kingpins

didn't live their day-to-day lives under

the possibility of execution number one

in California it's more expensive than

life in prison justice doesn't come

cheap a 2011 study published in the

Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review found

that since California reinstated the

death penalty in 1978 the state's

taxpayers have spent approximately four

billion dollars to kill a total of 13

prisoners which comes out to about 308

million for each execution the author's

broke down that 1.9 4 billion went to

their trial costs 925 million dollars

went to automatic and state appeals 775

million dollars went to federal appeals

and 1 billion dollars went to the actual

incarceration of the inmates that's

obviously a lot of money but what's even

more astounding is that it would

actually be less expensive to give a

lifetime sentence to prisoners instead

of the death penalty the same study

found that a death penalty prosecution

costs up to 20 times as much as a life

without parole case so what do you think

this capital punishment and effective

policy are you really allowed to execute

people in a local jail from this point

on no talking

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