Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site homxa.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!mhuxn!houxm!homxa!stumpf 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> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 19 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.