1. Capital Punishment

2. Vocabulary Activity
Copy the following vocabulary terms into your notes
Capital Punishment
Aggravating Circumstances
Mitigating Circumstances

3. The first person executed for murder among settlers in America was hanged in 1630.
Capital punishment was imposed for a number of different crimes in America but gradually narrowed down to two: Murder and Rape
In 1977 the supreme court ruled capitol punishment unconstitutional for rape of an adult
In 2008 the supreme court found capitol punishment unconstitutional for rape of a child (8th amendment, punishment did not fit the crime)

4. As of April 25, 2017
1972 Supreme Court ruled death penalty unconstitutional as laws were then written. Capitol punishment resumed after states rewrote their laws in 1978

5. As of 2015 state and federal prisons held more than 3,000 inmates on death row.
In 2007 all executions were halted as the supreme court reviewed the issue of lethal injection, executions resumed in 2008 (cruel and unusual, 8th amendment)

6. Most capitol punishment laws call for a two part trial
(2) Jury decides if defendant should receive the death penalty
Judges and juries are required to consider aggravating as well as mitigating circumstances

9. 15.7%

12. A 2014 poll found that 63% of Americans support the use of death penalty Why do death sentences and executions continue to fall?