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From: stumpf@homxa.UUCP (P.STUMPF)
Newsgroups: net.flame,net.politics
Subject: Re: Bastille mentality alive and well in USA
Message-ID: <515@homxa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Dec-84 10:43:03 EST
Article-I.D.: homxa.515
Posted: Tue Dec  4 10:43:03 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Dec-84 00:24:33 EST
References: <259@spp2.UUCP>, <1220@dciem.UUCP>, <90@cadre.UUCP>
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Xref: watmath net.flame:7081 net.politics:6029

>Postulate: The death penalty reduces the chance that the
>killer will kill again.
>
>If: There is a finite chance that a killer let off without
>the death penalty will kill you.
>
>Then: The death penalty reduces the probability that you
>will be murdered.
>
>Q.E.D.
>
Yes, there an applied death penalty will reduce the chance that the
killer will kill again, but:

A theory is that a killer (not yet incarcerated) may kill
more, e.g., potential witnesses, to remain unconvicted of a crime
carrying the death penalty.

These are not my opinions, nor has my employer put forth a position.