| Examining the multiple theoretical, ideological, sociological, and personal perspectives on the death penalty debate, Voices (Vandeplas Publishing 2010) offers a comprehensive overview of the arguments for and against capital punishment, both in the United States and internationally.
Using the testimony of witnesses at the historic 2004–2005 death penalty hearings in New York, Professor Russell Murphy delves into theoretical justifications for the death penalty (such as retribution and deterrence) as well as specific criticisms, such as costs, abuses of prosecutorial discretion, jury functioning, problems of race and mental illness, and execution of the innocent.
To present as broad a range of opinion as possible, Murphy presents the testimony of more than 100 witnesses from diverse constituencies in the death penalty debate, including academics, scientists, public interest groups, lawyers, families of murder victims, exonerated death row inmates, writers, law enforcement and public officials, and ordinary citizens.
Rather than advocate for a particular viewpoint, Murphy emphasizes citizen education; the volume ultimately serves as a reader’s guide that leads to an informed position on this highly controversial matter, “one of the most complex, emotional, controversial, and important public policy issues of our time.”
Voices is available at the Law School and Suffolk University Bookstores or on amazon.com.
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