Capital Punishment - Essay Example

The first established death penalty laws date as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon, which codified the death penalty for 25 different crimes. The death penalty was also part of the Fourteenth Century B.C.’s Hittite Code; in the Seventh Century B.C.’s Draconian Code of Athens, which made death the only punishment for all crimes; and in the Fifth Century B.C.’s Roman Law of the Twelve Tablets. Crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement were common death sentences. (DPIC: History of the Death Penalty, 2008)

Across human history, beheading has probably been the most frequent mode of dispatch. (US Government Guide, 2008)  Capital punishment for murder, treason, arson, and rape was widely employed in ancient Greece, and the Romans also used it for a wide range of offenses. It also has been sanctioned at one time or another by most of the world's major religions. (Britannica Concise Encyclopedia, 2008)

The first execution of the record took place in Virginia in 1608. The felon was George Kendall, who was hanged for aiding the Spanish, a treasonable act. Hanging was the standard method, but slaves and Indians were often burned at the stake. (US History Encyclopedia)  In 1612, Virginia Governor Sir Thomas Dale enacted the “Divine, Moral and Martial Laws”, which provided the death penalty for even minor offenses such as stealing grapes, killing chickens, and trading with Indians. (DPIC: History of the Death Penalty, 2008)  Laws regarding the death penalty varied from colony to colony. The Massachusetts Bay Colony held its first execution in 1630, even though the Capital Laws of New England did not go into effect until years later. The New York Colony instituted the Duke’s Laws of 1665. Under these laws, offenses such as striking one’s mother or father, or denying the “true God”, were punishable by death. (Randa, 1997, quoted in DPIC: History of the Death Penalty, 2008).

During the founding period, several crimes were punishable by death in the 13 states: murder, treason, piracy, arson, rape, robbery, burglary, sodomy, counterfeiting, horse theft, and slave rebellion.  Today, in the 36 states that permit capital punishment, premeditated murder is virtually the only crime for which the punishment is death.  Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have banned the death penalty. The United States government may impose the death penalty for certain federal crimes, such as treason. (US Government Guide, 2008)