The death penalty for murder or serious crime of any kind in the United States has been a hot topic for the better part of a decade. Capital punishment is seen as a way to balance peace within society, but some would be very careful to disagree. Not only does the victim's family suffer, but also the criminal's family. While there are countless reasons to support the death penalty, it is best to start with the two simplest ones; free will and closure. Free will might seem terribly ridiculous, but it is strangely and undeniably relevant. No one is forced or forced to commit murder or rape, so by doing so the criminal gives up any excuse he may have. A famous example of this is the night Gregory Thompson committed premeditated murder and later claimed an insanity plea. This man knew exactly what he had done and no one forced him to commit such heinous acts, for which he now deserves to pay the price. Not only can the death penalty keep criminals in custody for the short term of their lives, but it can also dramatically reduce prisoners' likelihood of parole. Prisoner parole can give a criminal another chance to kill or rape, regardless of his or her mental health status. Another well-known case, “The Black Dahlia Murder,” involved a young twenty-three-year-old woman named Elizabeth Short. Now, there is no way to even remotely try to understand what was going through the killer's mind. Maybe they were really crazy, or maybe just a normal person. Whatever the case, if caught they would be sentenced to death and would have to die immediately after receiving the death penalty. No one wants one of these people wandering the streets or taking up space in federal prisons, without… middle of paper… but with years. There is no possible way that families could receive justice for the loss of their loved ones if the death penalty were repealed. Nothing can ease the pain of the families unless the killer pays his dues and is sentenced to death. If the death penalty were repealed, extreme murderers or rapists would simply live tax-free and minimally luxurious lives, facing no real punishment for their crimes. It is a question or action that addresses the depths of morality and judgment. Works Cited The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Printed. “BOOKS: Death Penalty Law." Death Penalty Information Center. Np, nd Web. November 26, 2013. "BalancedPolitics.org." Death Penalty (Pros and Cons, Arguments for and Cons, advantages and disadvantages).. 2013.