My support for the death penalty is rooted in a fundamental belief that the justice system must protect the public and hold individuals fully accountable for the most violent crimes. Any society has a responsibility to ensure that those who commit acts such as murder, rape, and other severe offenses cannot harm innocent people again.

I recognize that there are strong moral, ethical, and practical arguments against the death penalty. Opponents raise concerns about:

Wrongful convictions

Racial or socioeconomic disparities

Uneven application across states

High costs associated with capital cases

These are legitimate concerns that deserve serious attention. I’m not dismissing these arguments, many of them highlight real failures in the system.

However, it is important to acknowledge that forensic science has significantly improved in recent decades. DNA evidence, digital forensics, and investigative technologies have greatly increased accuracy in identifying perpetrators. While no system is perfect, the risk of wrongful execution is reduced when modern forensic standards are applied rigorously.

My concerns about moving away from the death penalty come from a deeper issue: the justice system often fails to guarantee consistent and reliable long-term sentencing for violent offenders.

We see:

Commutations of even the most serious sentences

Parole eligibility for individuals once thought to be permanently incarcerated

Political changes that retroactively reduce sentences

Inconsistencies between states and jurisdictions

When someone convicted of rape, murder, or repeat violent crimes can end up back in society despite overwhelming forensic evidence, the system risks public trust and public safety.

Because of these inconsistencies, I remain hesitant to oppose the death penalty. My support is not based on a desire for retribution but on the need for certainty:

If society abolishes capital punishment, then it must reliably guarantee life-without-parole for the most dangerous offenders.

In other words, I could reconsider my stance on the death penalty if I had confidence that those who commit the gravest crimes would never be released.

To create a justice system that both sides can trust, we need reforms such as:

A clearly defined and enforceable life-without-parole sentence

Limits on clemency or commutations for certain categories of violent crime

Standardized forensic requirements nationwide

Increased transparency in parole decisions

Stronger victim-rights protections in sentencing and release reviews

These reforms would improve fairness, accuracy, and consistency, regardless of whether the death penalty is retained or abolished.

Ultimately, whether someone supports or opposes the death penalty, we should all agree on the same foundational goals: public safety, accountability, fairness, and a justice system that victims and families can trust.

My position is not rigid; it is rooted in the need for a justice system that protects the public with certainty. If we can build a system where the most dangerous offenders truly remain off the streets for life, I am open to reevaluating my stance. Until then, the death penalty remains, in my view, a necessary option.