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Story: California
Debates Use of Lethal Injection, 10/02/06
1. What aspect of the death penalty is California debating right now?
2. What is the key question in the case?
3. What is California's protocol for lethal injection?
4. What have the defense's lawyers argued?
5. Where is "cruel and unusual punishment" barred in U.S. law? How has the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on this issue?
6. How might the decision in this case impact other states?
Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. Based on what you know about this case, if you were the judge, how would you decide? How did you make your decision? What additional information might you want to make your decision? 2. If you were a doctor, would there be any circumstance under which you would participate in an execution? To what degree would you participate? What might be the implications of your decision? As a patient, would you go to a doctor who had participated in an execution? Why or why not? 3. What are the arguments for capital punishment? What are the arguments against? 4. Why do some states allow the death penalty and others don't? Send your completed essay to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |