I actually did a research paper on capital punishment recently, and I know the pros and cons of it pretty well. When I began the paper I felt that the eye for an eye punishment is fair, or several eyes for an eye in the case of a serial killer. Although each execution costs the state millions of dollars, compared to the little amount of money to maintain someone in prison for life. There are a number of pros and cons for each side, and that made it extremely difficult to pick a side. One arguement for pro death penalty was that it is a deterrent for other murderers. This I figured out was total bs, because most killers are in the heat of the moment and not scared of death. In the end I decided I agreed with most of the current laws of capital punishment, which are no one under 18 can be sentenced to death, and that there should be special circumstances for the mentally retarded. In the end, I came up with the conclusion that it shouldn't be abolished, but it should be watched for special circumstances. I agree with many of the cons though, but I had to pick a side for the paper. (far too lazy to put up a bunch of pros and cons, but maybe if someone argues with me)