As you may recall Micheal Jackson, who had been deemed the King of Pop, died on June, 25, 2009 from propofol, a drug that is used to temporary put patients into a coma like, or deep sleep, during certain operations.

But this drug of choice does not come without same controversy, for some complaints that the drug has not been tested enough to prove that it is not an inhumane method of execution.  

Of the 33 states that has the death penalty, so far Missouri is the only one that is implementing this new method of execution.

image: illustration (detik)

Last week, the Missouri Department of Correctional announced that it switched to using the drug for the execution of three types of drugs have become a kind of drug, namely propofol. With this announcement, Missouri would become the first country to use propofol as a drug for execution.

“It’s very unfortunate because the drug is not yet clearly known. We think that one method of drug use willcause problems,” said Kathleen Holmes of Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty as reported by CBS News, Friday (05/25/2012).

Todate, 33 states in the United States uses three types of drugs are identical to the execution of the death penalty. These three drugs include sodium thiopental to make the sleeping and two other drugs to stop the function of the heart and lungs.

Unfortunately, manufacturers of sodium thiopental stopped producing this drug because they do not want drug used in executions, while the majority of drugs havebeen exhausted or expired. Most states are maintaining three-drug method and then switched to pentobarbital as a substitute for sodium thiopental.

“Pentobarbital is a barbiturate used to treat anxiety and seizure disorders like epilepsy and has been used to perform 50 executions over the last two years,” said Richard Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington.

But its useis also not long since the author does not agree if the medicine isused in the execution. Finally, the state of Missouri announced thedecision with reasons for the unavailability of sodium thiopental, but did not elaborate on why it chose propofol.

“We have asked for expert guidance, we believe that the protocol is a new drug will be effective and appropriate,” said Chris Cline of the Department of Correctional.

Nevertheless, still unknown is when will the use of propofol was started in the execution. This drug has not been scheduled despite the Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has convicted 19 people knocking hammer that will be executed last week.

Propofol is made by a company called Astra Zeneca and marketed under the brand name Diprivan. These drugs became popular after Michael Jackson’s death in 2009.

Astra Zeneca spokeswoman declined to comment on the useof this medicine in the execution of the deathpenalty.

“Propofol is usually administered byan anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist under the direct supervision of a doctor. Giving medication improperly can cause a burning sensation or pain at the injection site,” said Jonathan Groner, a surgeon from Ohio State University who studies the lethal injection.

Groner said that high-dose propofol can kill by causing respiratory arrest. But the dose given should be accurate and fast because propofol is usually out in just a few minutes.

“If the person starts breathing injected before the heart stops beating, then he wouldnot die. Forced the process to be repeated,” Groner said.

Robbery not allowed (Photo credit: Arenamontanus)

When is a severe robbery penalty justifiable? This question is relative considering what side of the fence, the person answering this question is on.

If you happen to be a victim of robbery and you lost a loved one during a robbery or a member of your family lost a limb or even suffered sexual abuse-then it will not be out of place to expect that you will be championing capital punishment as the right penalty for a robbery.

If on the other hand the perpetrator of the crime is your teenage son or daughter you are definitely likely to see things a little differently. You are certain to have a clue about why the perpetrator indulged or embarked in the villainous crime. It could be bad choices, drugs, or peer pressure.

Nevertheless, the realty on the ground dictates that the decision about the severity or not in a robbery penalty rests with the trail judge, of course the jury and the ‘wise’ input of the defense and prosecuting counsel also play a major part in determining the severity or not of a robbery penalty.

Then to some extent, let us not forget the influence of the media and the political and public opinion of the time all these play their part in determining these matters.

The truth is this topic will continue to generate debates as people are bound to proffer different solutions or options to deterring the crime of robbery via the appropriate punishment- as indeed the same case will be from country to country but one thing is for sure ,the crime of robbery is blameworthy and should not be allowed to go without some kind of punishment, the degree is where the argument still rest.

            As far as deterrence of murder, the death penalty should be a huge factor, but according to statistics, this is not the case.  Perhaps it is because it is not a swift punishment and is not “seen” by the viewing public.  Most people know that it exists, but could not tell you the last person to be put to death by any institution much less how long ago their crime was committed.  Deterrence is measured on two separate scales, one being general deterrence and the other, specific deterrence.  General deterrence refers to the actual public being deterred away from committing a crime because of the punishment they could face if caught.  Specific deterrence is one individual and whether or not that punishment would work for them.  Of course, with the death penalty being the deterrence we are debating, it is clear that it would be a specific deterrence because if it is used on a person, they will not be killing anyone else!  So, we will speak of general deterrence and ways that the death penalty can deter someone who is thinking rationally during the action of the murder as opposed to someone who is clearly not thinking. 

            It is easy to come up with many reasons as to why someone would take another life if they were not thinking rationally.  There are serial murderers and spree murderers who are not thinking about the crime they are committing and most times have gone to great lengths to plan their crimes. Especially the serial murderers who are usually able to get away with it for some time; otherwise they would not be a serial murderer. Spree killers are more apt to have some impulsivity to their crimes.  Intimate homicide would also be a crime of impulse, or passion.  It can be a husband or wife that may have found out their significant other is cheating on them and lashes out by killing their spouse.  It could also be boyfriend and girlfriends who are in this same scenario.  There are other intimate homicides than just those that are committed by a lover.  Intimacy of the killer and victim doesn’t always mean that they are lovers.  Intimacy is simply referring to the assailant and victim being in some type of close relationship.  Over 50% of murders are committed by those that the victim knew, and most times, knew them well.

            Revenge would also be another form of murder that one would think is not committed by an individual who is thinking rationally.  The Bible says, “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.”  Even those that are Christians can still be swept up in a crime of revenge. Possibly because the vengeance that the Bible speaks of may not be a swift punishment and we want to see something happened to a person that took one of our loved ones or hurt them in another form.  In a book by the famous author John Grisham, “A Time to Kill,” the murder in question was committed by a father whose daughter was raped, beaten and left for dead by two of the town’s thugs.  He sought revenge on them and shot them as they were shackled and headed to court for their crime.  Although he thought about the murder and planned how to do it, he wasn’t trying to find a way to get away with it.  He simply could not see any other form of punishment that would suffice for someone who had done such horrible things to his child.  He sought revenge on the steps inside the courthouse by hiding in a storage closet overnight waiting for them to be walked into the courthouse to seal their fate.  Anyone who is thinking rationally would have let the courts handle the situation and see what punishment was given to these two individuals instead of taking life into their own hands and risking the consequences of their actions.  After he shot both of them, he simply laid down the rifle and surrendered to police that surrounded him.  But he had committed murder, 1st degree murder at that with malice aforethought.  A rational thinker would have realized long before then that they would face the courts themselves and could quite possibly be put to death for that crime.  In the instance of revenge such as this, the only thing the offender is thinking is how to get back at those that hurt him or her and their loved one.  Of course, in the book, he was found innocent by a miraculous jury trial due to the swift words of a great attorney because he made the jury see it through their own eyes as if it had happened to one of their loved ones.  No one can blame a person for a crime such as this when they think of it being committed against one of their own, especially a young child. 

            Those that have killed their own children are another classic example of a person not thinking rationally.  A rational thinker cannot even begin to come up with a reason why a person would kill their own child!  That is why situations like this are considered so “newsworthy” and plastered all over the news.  Andrea Yates would be a prime example of this.  Although in her case there were signs that she was in desperate need of help, they were all ignored by her family and she ended up taking the life of all five of her children.  Not only did she kill them, but she chased them down and drug them back into the bathroom where she drowned them and then laid them out as if they were on display.  She suffered from post-partum depression and was listening to voices inside her head and thought that she was saving her children.  Clearly this is not the mind of a rational thinker.  One cannot see how the death penalty was even a thought to any of these examples and/or considered a deterrent to their crime.  As a single parent of three grown children and knowing how absolutely frustrating it can be at times; there is still no instance that could be understood why one would take the life of their child.

            On the flip side of rational thinkers, there are those that commit murder and are of sound mind at the time.  Although this scenario is extremely difficult to imagine, one would have to consider self defense.  This is not attacking someone because you may fear what they are going to do to you, but actual self defense.  The lines between these two are very thin.  Some people who have been abused for years may use self defense as an option to try and commit a murder of the offender.  But is it really self defense if the person is not threatening you at the time?  And if someone did act on their fear, are they really thinking rationally about the consequences of their actions?  But for our example, we are actually talking about a clear cut self defense case.  If someone breaks into your home and is threatening your life, you have the right to defend yourself.  If they are coming at you with a knife or a gun, there is a definite threat of violence and the use of force is considered self defense.  In this instance you take the life of the attacker and commit murder of another human being.  Even though this is a crime that most people wouldn’t think of ever committing, if given the right circumstances, they may surprise themselves.  Is this person in this situation thinking rationally?  One would have to argue yes, even though they did not have time to contemplate the consequences of their actions.  In a situation such as this, one simply does not think if they do this they may get the death penalty, but they are thinking in a rational manner and realize that it’s their life or the life of their attacker. 

            Another instance where one may be thinking rationally and commit murder is euthanasia.  This is one person taking the life of another even though they know the consequences of their actions, or what they may be.  There is a huge debate on this topic that may never come to a conclusion.  In a person’s defense, they are helping out the one that they kill, either because of the pain that they live in constantly or some other extenuating circumstance.   Dr. Kevorkian always comes to mind when this topic arises.  He has helped many individuals end their life, and has spent time in jail for doing so.  Even though he killed these people, he was never questioned on whether or not having his own life ended played a role in his thinking.  Even though euthanasia is a debatable issue in itself, it is still one person taking the life of another and you could argue with premeditation.  But the person in this instance would be considered to be thinking rationally at the time because they were trying to end the pain of the one suffering.

            Perhaps the death penalty might be a better deterrent if it was a swifter and more consistent punishment.  One can say that the death penalty is only used in America when the case has been sensationalized by the press.  In other countries where the death penalty is used, it is carried out swiftly and for most part much quieter than it is here.  In these countries the death penalty is a definite deterrent to crime of this nature and therefore the rates of murder are not near the level that they are here in America.

One huge area of debate is deterrence.  Opponents will argue that the death penalty in no way deters crime.  Research has failed to provide scientific proof that executions have a greater deterrent effect than life imprisonment and such proof is unlikely to be forthcoming.  The advocates, however, will argue that the death penalty is a strong deterrent to crime.  They claim that the fear of execution is and should be a deterrent to anyone considering committing a crime.  They also claim that the death penalty actually saves lives.  There are many, perhaps thousands, of such documented cases representing many innocent lives saved by the fear of execution. There is also the feeling that by putting to death the criminals responsible for capital crimes reduces any and all recidivism that may have potentially occurred due to these criminals escaping the system and being put back into population.

It is also argued that advocates of the death penalty see it as a solution to violent crimes.  In reality, executions are seen as the appropriate punishment for certain criminals committing specific crimes.  For example, if a beloved pet of the family suddenly goes mad and runs around biting and infecting everyone for no reason, it must be destroyed, regardless of how much it is loved and cared for by its family.  Or, if a cobra gets into a schoolyard around our children and threatens them, we break their necks without a trial by jury.  One can look on murderers in the same light.  Although you might not think of killing an animal as cruel and unusual when they become a threat to you or to your family, much is the same for a person who goes mad and kills other people.  It must be destroyed just like the rabid dog hence stopping any further attacks.  Opponents of the death penalty might be shocked at this analogy, but if you look at it from the viewpoint of a great lover of animals, then it might make a little more sense.

Of course the biggest argument of the death penalty is the cost.  Opponents of the death penalty claim that putting someone to death costs exceedingly more than keeping them alive and imprisoned.  The truth of the matter is that imprisonment for life is definitely more expensive than putting them to death, especially when the inmate gets older and requires geriatric care as well.  According to TIME Magazine, the average cost of a cell annually is approximately $24,000.  Maximum security cells average $75,000 per year.  On a conservative estimate of the cost of an equivalent death penalty inmate of around $34,200 per year for an average of 50 year life sentences for those not getting the death penalty plus trial and appeal costs runs approximately $3.01 million dollars.  Using the same number of inmates given the death penalty, and a very high estimate of $60,000 per year, and costs of $1.5 million in trials and appeals, also a high estimate would run approximately $1.88 million.  There is no argument that life without parole cases, or those equivalent to the death penalty would cost significantly more than the death penalty cases on average.

           Recidivism is always an issue as well.  The thought that a convicted killer may find his way back onto the streets is unnerving to say the least, but is happens quite often. They escape through the system and get paroled, or the prison system gets too crowded and they may end up getting early release, or they may just escape from prison and only be out for a short while, but they eventually will kill again.  There is case after case of convicted murderers that for one reason or another, ended up back outside the prison system and killed again.  Not to mention those that kill inside the prison themselves. Since 1901, thirty-three Federal correctional workers have been killed by inmates while in the line of duty, and that does not include the number of other inmates that were killed.

As you can see, the debate on the death penalty could go on forever.  There are good and bad points to be made on both sides.  I am not sure whether this issue will ever come to a point of satisfying both sides, but such is the way of American life.  People can think and feel how they want and speak out against or for any issue of their choice thanks to our Bill of Rights, and that is what makes America so wonderful.  I am personally for the death penalty and feel that criminals in this country get to soft of punishment.  I am not speaking of a hearsay case where there is no absolute proof that the defendant did the killing, and I am not speaking of accidental cases either.  I am talking of cold blooded heinous crimes that need to be stopped.  In today’s world of forensics, more and more cases are concluded with concrete proof that a defendant was the one who committed the crime. All defendants in our justice system are innocent until proven guilty.  If our punishments were a bit harsher, and the death penalty was actually carried out, it would be a bigger deterrent to crime and possibly drop our crime rates.  One can hope at least, as our current system is an epic fail.

For the three who were wrongly convicted I’m sure they wish things could have moved a little more swiftly.As far as the other I’m pretty sure he doesn’t.Although he has had 37 years of life that,a hundred years ago he wouldn’t have gotten.Back then he would probably have long since been taken to the nearest tree and set to due the Highland fling three feet off the ground.

Sometimes the wheels of justice move slowly and other times they hardly seem to move at all.In the early ’80s I worked with two Yankees(In Oklahoma) who went on a crime spree.Years later,when one was executed I had forgotten all about them.When I saw the quote of the last words he used realized that I had told him that.I and another guy had tried to salvage him,it didn’t do any good.Despite our efforts when I consider what he did I would have no problem at all shooting the juice too him.The only ones who consider electrocution ‘cruel and unusual’ are the opponents of the death-penalty.When you are electrocuted,after the first shock you don’t feel a damned thing.It just looks bad when smoke starts to come out of their ears.Whereas lethal injection just puts them too sleep,allegedly.Although there are people who claim it’s inhumanity.Of course a lot of these same people would blanch at the thought of killing anything to eat.And so become vegans,never realizing that everyone kills to eat,even if it’s just pulling up a blade of grass.

Personnaly I think what our Founding Fathers’  had in mind was torture,which in a lot of these cases the extended periods of appeals and such would certainly qualify as such.This was after all a time when Drawing and Quartering was still used,albeit rarely,in England as the penalty for Treason,this manner of death was not the one shown or used in the movie Braveheart.It was much more ‘cruel and unusual’.

The first three cases mentioned it would be apparent that this extended process works,though I’m sure the men who were locked up all these years wish the wheels of justice didn’t grind so damned slowly.As for the last he got 37 years of life that his victom didn’t get.

In most U.S. states, felonies are classified from A-I or 1-6. The list of felonies below are the moes you most want to avoid if you enjoy being free.

1. First degree murder: This type of murder is one that deprives the victim of his or her life and was pre-meditated. If the prosecution can prove that you planned out your crime in advance, you likely are facing life imprisonment or even the death penalty. This is a class A felony.
2. Second degree murder: This type of murder ended the life of another person but was not thought about in advance. Typically, this form of murder is a crime of passion, possibly where two individuals got in an argument, and then a fight, which led to the death of one person. Sentences depend by state, but you will likely face up to 50 or 60 years in prison and thousands in fines. This is usually a class B felony.
3. Manslaughter: This class B felony is similar to murder, but there was a lack of intent to kill the other person. You can receive 30 years or more in prison if you are convicted of manslaughter.
4. Involuntary manslaughter: This is a crime where you caused the death of a human being without any intent. One of the most common situations for this crime is with drunk driving. DUI manslaughter, for example, is the crime of killing another person while being drunk and driving. It is a class B felony.
5. First degree sexual assault: This type of assault includes rape, which is defined as the act of sexual intercourse when one of the parties does not consent. Other types of sexual assault can include forcible sodomy, forcible object penetration, marital rape, unwanted sexual touching and sexual contact with minors. The penalties for first degree sexual assault can be up to 30 years in prison in most states. This is a class B felony.
6. Kidnapping: This felony is when one person without lawful authority physically moves another person without his or her consent. This crime can result in 20 years or more in prison, and it is possible to receive the death penalty in some states if the crime led to the death of the victim.
7. Arson: This is a class C felony that is defined as purposely lighting structures on fire. Sometimes people commit this crime to collect insurance money.
8. Conspiracy: This class B felony is where two or more people agree to do something, if it is carried out, would be another crime. For example, if two people agree to rob a bank, they also could be found guilty of conspiracy in addition to robbery. Conspiracy is a serious crime and can be punished by as much as 25 years in prison in some states, in addition to the penalties for the underlying crime.
9. Mail and wire fraud: These are class C felonies where one uses the US mail system or electronic communication systems (phone, Internet, email, etc.) to deprive others wrongfully of money or property. You can serve up to 20 years in prison for each count of mail or wire fraud.
10. Robbery: This usually is a class E felony, which involves the taking of someone’s money or property against their will. You can get as much as 15 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.  

If you have been accused of felony, or any other serious crime, contact the Law Offices of Geoffrey G. Nathan, a premier Boston criminal defense lawyer. He has the experience and legal skills needed to handle serious criminal matters. To arrange an office consultation, contact us now.

    ”There are only two correct solutions in this case: acquittal or the death penalty,” said Breivik.

“A prison sentence of 21 years is pathetic. Not want (the death penalty-no), but I respect the verdict,” he said.

Regarding the other two cells which argues that there, the said, answering a question from the prosecution, that they could strike at any time.

Right-wing extremist Anders Breivik Behring continues to testify Wednesday in the third day of his trial in Oslo.

On July 22, 2011, killed eight people Breivik detonând a bomb in front of a building tower in the seat of government Prime Minister Labour, out of office at the time.

Later, dressed in police, he shot in cold blood for over an hour on laborious Youth members gathered in a summer camp on the island Utoeya, near Oslo, killing 69 other people, mostly teenagers .

Still, it is likely that more people object to capital punishment on the basis that it is too cruel, or that it is un-Christian. Some contend that allowing them to live gives them added time to repent and make themselves right with God. This article will address this line of thinking and hopefully bring a resolution to the variant views.

First, the view that it is too cruel should not be a problem. Virtually all crimes in the U.S. which carry the possibility of a death penalty are of a horrendous nature. The victim of the crime normally suffered extremely before death. Something far more tortuous than the least possible pain as inflicted in execution. It is often suggested that “let the punishment fit the crime.” This of course is virtually never done, but rather, even with death it is not as severe as that which the criminal dealt to the victim. Some states actually allow the inmate to choose the method of his execution.

It is often heard that God is merciful and forgiving, so we should be also. This is not biblical at all when in reference to some criminal who has committed a dastardly crime. Let us consider some things about the teaching of God’s word on this subject.

God truly is merciful and forgiving. But, he hates sin and sin in one’s life will separate him from God. It is the duty of man to bring his own life and mind into obedience to God’s word and then God will forgive, not before.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)

All governments are ordained of God. Not all governments are good governments, however, they are still ordained of God. He uses governments to protect his people and in some cases, to punish them. But here is a scripture which explains as nearly as one can find, the approach God has towards evil criminals. Read it carefully. It is taken from the New King James Version for a little more clarity:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (Romans 13:1-4 NKJV)

People sometimes mistakenly use the commandment found in the ten commandments which God gave to Moses for the Jews. It is a short and simple statement, “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” It is true that is what is written but what is often not understood is the word translated “kill”. Only a few translations have rendered this word “kill”. The Hebrew word for killing in war, self defense and/or carelessly or accidentally is not used in this passage. The word for such is “harag“. The Hebrew term used in this scripture is “ratsach” which means to murder, or willfully harm someone or self. Virtually all of the more recent translations rightly render it “murder”. So to say God would disapprove is simply a misunderstanding of the holy scripture.

After the universal flood, God spoke to Noah and his sons, instructing them how to conduct themselves in their replenishing the earth. And he made one remark which fits our subject precisely and should forever rebuke those who contend God does not approve of criminals’ executions.

Notice now, that this was not a prophetic statement, it was in the form of a command, telling them their duty, along with many other things. One present day bible scholar, Winford Claiborne, of the International Gospel Hour correctly paraphrases the verse thusly: “If a man kills another, other men are to kill the killer.”

These scriptures are not to be ignored and, in fact are instructions for man. In our present age, and particularly here in these United States, it is not intended that Christians should take this as their own responsibility to kill someone who kills another. Since God has ordained principalities and powers, he has placed the responsibility for punishment of evil doers in those powers. But for Christians to crusade against it is to disobey God.

First, what is the penalty for?

There is a small section of society who believes that it is a personal punishment. That a person who commits a crime should be forced to suffer that crime. But then what of those who are put to death for non-violent crimes? And does this mindset mean that all crimes should be punished with the crime itself? Should a man convicted of bashing another man be himself bashed and then released?

For the majority of people, suffering an act they themselves have committed has been definitively shown by the behavioural psychologist B. F. Skinner not to be an effective form of disuasion. Making people suffer ironically does not make most of them feel remorse or learn from their mistakes.

Further studies have shown that punishing someone using a different method likewise does little to inhibit the unwanted act itself. That is, if someone is convicted for bashing another person, then torturing them will also not make them less likely to reoffend. Actually, it makes them more likely to commit their original crime and many other unrelated acts. It makes them worse.

So punishing or killing people in a way to make them suffer is useless in terms of deterrents or to make them feel guilty.

It does, however, meet a very basic and nasty part of our humanity: the desire to harm those we hate. And we do not want to live in a society where is it acceptable to make others suffer if we can justify it. After all, many murderers feel perfectly justified in what they do. This is not a world we want to go into.

A lot of research has been geared towards how to make the death penalty as humane as possible, rather than a barbaric form of revenge. What criteria must such a penalty meet?

1. It must not be painful or distressing

2. It must be able to be performed on a large scale

3. It must be easy to do, i.e. it does not require extensively-trained experts or doctors who might not always be available.

4. It must work.

The 3 most used methods of death are electric chairs, hanging, and lethal injection. Which of these fit all the criteria?

Lethal injection is not performed by doctors, since, by law, they are not allowed to kill prisoners. Technicians instead perform the injections, and there are many horror stories about injections gone wrong, causing horrific suffering before death finally arrives.

Hanging involves falling until a length of rope reaches its end, is snapped tight, and the neck is broken. This damages the brain stem, instantly stopping the lungs and heart, and death occurs in a few seconds. Hanging is more painless than lethal injection, which uses an anaesthetic that lasts 5 minutes wheras death takes 10-15 minutes to occur via painfull chemicals. But hanging can go wrong.

The key to a successful hanging is correct rope length. Too much rope and the prisoner is decapitated, much to the distress of any onlookers. To little and the neck is not successfully broken, and the crippled but still living prisoner suffers a great deal until the process is repeated successfully.

Rope length is calculated based on prisoner weight, but even two people of the same weight have different amounts of neck muscle, fat, and other types of tissue, meaning that the above errors will always occur with a certain frequency.

Electrocution involves running a high current through a prisoner, causing their heart to spasm until they die. This is not always successful, and to ensure that death always occurs, the few American states which still use electric chairs state that electrocution must occur not once but three times to ensure death. Even then, there are cases of prisoners surviving all three electrocutions. Electrocution itself is incredibly painful, the worst of the three methods described here.

None of the currently used methods of execution fit the criteria. There are further problems which we shall not go into here, suffice to say that they fit fewer of the criteria than we have mentioned.

Is a humane and easy form of execution possible?

Scientists who perform tests on animals have to euthanise them before many experiments. They often have to ensure there is no suffering and that the method is easy and consistent, or a mouse whose brain will be dissected might suffer too much and render its brain full of anxiety chemicals and effectively useless.

There exist gases which cause death. Some are very painful, but others actually cause euphoria and happiness as consciousness slowly slips away. Nitrogen and Argon, the first and third most common gases in the air respectively, are inert but stop the blood from taking up oxygen, which it needs. The brain is slowly starved of oxygen and becomes deliriously happy as it gradually and painlessly shuts down. The entire procedure lasts about 5 minutes.

Is this the answer? Placing people in a cubicle and gassing them happily to their fate? It is cheap, easy, requires no special expertise beyond equipment, consistently causes death, and best of all is humane. Surely this is what we need.