THE
DEATH PENALTY
WEBQUEST
by SHERRY BROWN
INTRODUCTION
Everyday scholars, clergymen, lawyers, psychiatrists, human rights activists and students debate the questions surrounding the morality of the death penalty.
The United States has several states that have sanctioned the death penalty as a viable means of punishment.
Murders, rapes, violent robberies and many other crimes have effected the lives of many
American citizens. Daily newspapers report the macabre details of these crimes to the public and many times family members demand justice for their loved ones. In some states surviving members of a victim’s family are invited to witness a convict’s execution.
Students will examine the legality and morality of the death penalty. Students will look at the death penalty and try to determine whether or not it is cruel and unusual punishment. What side will you agree with? Would you agree or disagree if you were a member of the defendant’s family? How would you feel if one of the members of your family was the victim of a violent crime?
TASK
Read the following case and decide whether or not you believe the defendant accused of the crime deserves the death penalty.
John was found guilty of murdering Mrs. Adams. During the trial, he admitted that he went to her home and found her body. He maintained throughout the trial that she was dead when he arrived for his usual handyman’s work on a Tuesday. The prosecution maintained that John knew that Mrs. Adams had money and knew that she was often alone. The prosecution also established that a neighbor saw John in the neighborhood the night before the body was discovered. John claimed that he went to see a friend, but his friend was not home. John had spent several hundred dollars the night before gambling in the casino. However, during the trial John claimed his great uncle finally repaid an old debt. John stated that he decided to join some new neighbors at the casino. The jury convicted John without an eyewitness to the crime or a murder weapon. The testimony of some Mrs. Adams’ neighbors and family helped convict John. John was sentenced to the death penalty, the electric chair.
Do you agree or disagree with the jury’s verdict?
GROUPS I and II
You agree with the verdict. Your group thinks the death penalty is necessary and helpful to society. Choose two of the arguments below to defend your position.
>It saves money when compared t o keeping someone in prison.
>A dangerous criminal who is executed will never hurt anyone again.
>People will think twice before committing a crime if they know they may face the death penalty.
GROUPS III and IV
You disagree with the verdict. Your group thinks that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment. Choose two of the arguments below to defend your position.
Fear of execution will not prevent people from committing crimes. Most criminals do not plan on getting caught.
As a result of human error an innocent person could be executed.
The death penalty results in a disrespect for human life. Executions carried out by the government breeds disregard for the sanctity of life.
PROCESS
After groups have selected the two statements that they will use to defend their positions regarding the verdict, each group will divide into two subsections each defending one of the statements . Each group should have three members in each subset.
Each group will list supporting statements solicited from resources listed below.
Each group will have a recorder and a reporter. The reporter will report to the class the
Final position of the group. Other group members will give supporting details.
The recorder will keep the notes of the group and draft a position statements.
Each group will provide a visual aid with their two page position statements
RESOURCES
Death Penalty Legal Representation Project for the Innocent
Death Penalty/Legal Concern-Amnesty International Urgent
http://www.tamilrights.org./appeals/1998a/tndeathal.htm
Death Penalty Information Center
http:t//www.esential.org/dpic/dpic.r04.html
Prison: The New Slavery?/Racism and the Death Penalty
http://www.uuhome.de/global/english/WT0038.html
A Life or Death Gamble
http://www.lonestar.texas.net/-acohen/tcadp/news.htm
Across the US the new doubts surface on death penalty
http://ww.w.csmonitor.com/durable/1999/02/24/p1s3htm.
EVALUATION
Groups will use information from websites to support their positions. Students will examine the 8th amendment as it relates to the death penalty. The 8th amendment states:
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted,
Each group will write an editorial column for the school newspaper stating their position.
Students will hold a panel discussion with one reporter from groups I and II; and one reporter from groups III and IV serving as leader of the panel stating each position.
Each panel will have 15 minutes to state their arguments during class time.
CONCLUSION
The arguments over the morality and legality of the death penalty has surfaced and resurfaced for years. This Webquest allows students the opportunity to examine the issues from two distinctly different perspectives. Hopefully, each student has taken a serious look at the dilemma of the death penalty within our society.