I know everyone says that it isn't an effective deterrent for crime. They're right, it's not. That's because it isn't used properly or enough. If people knew that they weren't going to be able to tie their death sentences up in appeals courts for 30 or more years, I assure you, it would be. People, as a rule, don't want to die. That's why appeals courts are so busy.

The vast majority of violent criminals, including murderers, don't carefully analyze the pros and cons of crime. They just do it, impulsively. If they even think about it at all, they assume they won't get caught. Deterrence works for you and me, but not for them.

As far as the death penalty goes, I oppose it because think it demeans us as a culture, but I don't shed any tears when some POS gets executed.