Dead Man Walking (1995) Capital Punishment in the United States Forgivness and Guilt Human Rights

Content  Short Summary: Plot, Characters and Setting  Death Penalty Facts  Themes  American Way of Life  Culture  „Böckenförde‘s Dilemma“  Religion  Leviathan  Dualism  Background  Prospect

Short Summary: Plot, Characters and Setting

Death Penalty Facts

Death Penalty Facts: Worldwide

Death Penalty Facts: Debate System Failure, i.e. Possibility of being innocently prosecuted + Harsh Prison Life Sentences = High Prison Costs Keeping the rest of society safe No impact Deterrence System Vengeance Thou shall not kill An eye for an eye

Death Penalty Facts: United States

Death Penalty Facts: Killing Method The use of lethal injection has become standard. From June 2000 to July 20, 2009, only 6 out of 387 executions have been by a different method. The last execution by any other method: MethodDateState ElectrocutionMarch 2010Virgina ShootingJune 2010Utah Lethal GasMarch 1999Arizona HangingJanuary 1996Delaware

Death Penalty Facts: Minimum Age Roper vs. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 ( 2005 ) The Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid imposition of the death penalty on offenders who were under the age of 18 when their crimes were committed. No C.P. Min. Age: 18 Min. Age: 17 Min. Age: 16

Death Penalty Facts: Constitution People v. LaValle, 3 N.Y. 3d 99 ( 2004 ) The current statute of capital punishment in the state of New York was unconstitutional as it violated article one, section six of the state constitution.  12 Angry Men Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153 ( 1976 ) The imposition of the death penalty does not, automatically, violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment. If the jury is furnished with standards to direct and limit the sentencing discretion, and the jury's decision is subjected to meaningful appellate review, the death sentence may be constitutional. If, however, the death penalty is mandatory, such that there is no provision for mercy based on the characteristics of the offender, then it is unconstitutional.

The American Way of Life: Culture Earl Delacroix: „Are you a communist?“ Helens Sister: „Mommas friends read an article which mention your name being associated with Poncelet.“ Police Officer: „What is a nun doing in a place like this?“

American Way of Life: „Böckenförde‘s Dilemma“ „The liberal (and secularized) state lives on conditions, which it cannot guarantee. On the one hand, it can subsist only if the freedom it consents to its citizens is regulated from within, inside the moral substance of individuals and of a homogeneous society. On the other hand, it is not able to guarantee these forces of inner regulation by itself without renouncing its liberalism“

The American Way of Life: Religion Chaplain Farlely: „Thou shall not kill.“ Earl Delacroix : „I‘m a catholic. How come you spent all your time with Poncelet and never thought that we might need you, too?“ Police Officer: „You know the Bible says: An eye for an eye.“ Sister Helen: „In the new testament it says: If you got slapped on the right cheek, turn to him your left cheek as well.“

Leviathan [...] Will he keep begging you for mercy? Will he speak to you with gentle words? Will he make an agreement with you for you to take him as your slave for life? Can you make a pet of him like a bird or put him on a leash for your girls? […] Nothing on earth is his equal— a creature without fear. He looks down on all that are haughty; he is king over all that are proud.

Dualism Clyde Percy: „You cant have it both ways. You cant befriend that murderer and expect to be our friend, too.“ Other examples: Protest vs. Public Prayer in front of the prison Execution-scene: Both Killings of Poncelet and Walter & Hope Camera = Neutral, distant Observer

Background: Willie, Sonnier, Prejean

Prospect Resolution? Impact on Society? Future Trend?