In a recent opinion poll conducted by Elon University in North Carolina, less than half of those polled believe that the the death penalty is the “most appropriate punishment for first degree murder.” When the same question was asked in 2005, 61% chose the death penalty as the appropriate sentence. In 2009, that number had dropped to 48%, the same percentage recorded in the University’s 2007 poll. “I would imagine the difference in opinion on our surveys is somewhat attributable to a realization among the public of the fallibility of the process or system, or at least an increased awareness about those cases in which people convicted of crimes and serving sentences were later exonerated,” said pollster Hunter Bacot. About 39% said life in prison without parole would be the better punishment in 2009, an increase from the 27% who supported that option in 2005.
(R. Teaguebeck, “The drop in death penalty support,” News Observer, March 5, 2009). See Public Opinion.
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