Murder: Murder and Special Circumstance Murder Essay

Submitted By xxxjohnny281xxx
Words: 1719
Pages: 7

Murder

Murder, it is the craziest thing on this earth. There are tons of movies, television shows and video games about it but if you murder someone in real life you can be put behind bars for life. The word murder should make a normal person shudder and it does not really matter under what circumstances this terrible crime is committed. But because murder should make a normal person shudder the death penalty should be allowed. It can also be a horrific crime committed, as the outbreak of aggression or in rage or it can be a thoroughly planned homicide. Murder is just one type of crime but it is among many other crimes. Personally when it comes to felony offenses I believe that the saying, “an eye for an eye” should come into play.
My most favorite movie just happens to be about murder and it actually made its debut as a book. This book and movie is called “American Psycho.” The book was published in 1991 when murder was in a way actually taken serious but to some taken way too serious. For example I found an article about a guy that bought the book when it came out and he talks about how is experience-buying shows how different a time it was. “When I bought ‘American Psycho’ it was the only book on the shelf wrapped in plastic - people are not allowed to freely browse the pages in the shop. When it was originally released it was only sold behind the counter and identification had to be shown. I’m not sure why it’s no longer behind the counter. I found myself asking whether this was because the initial sensationalism and controversy is over, or if we are more desensitized now. The Borders guy warned me that it was ‘full on’. Being an idiot I said ‘I’ll be fine, I’ve read about it and know what I’m in for (The written word).” Then probably the craziest murder game is any of the Grand Theft Auto video games. There are also many cases where people tried to blame their reason for murdering on this video game. “Thompson is accused of killing the three men in June 2003 after being brought to the Fayette police station on suspicion of driving a stolen car. Thompson allegedly grabbed one of the officer’s guns, shot him and the other two, then fled in a patrol car (Lawsuit).” I personally do not believe that movies or video games can drive a person to take ones life. I believe that murders think that they can blame their actions on those movies and video games.
There are also four different types of murder: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, and special circumstance murder. First-degree murder is murder with malice aforethought and they include lying in wait or ambush, murder for hire, murder to cover up evidence, and last premeditated murder. Then second-degree murder is murder with intent but without planning. The murderer must intend to kill the victim, and succeed in the killing, but will not have planned ahead of time to do this. Manslaughter requires a homicide without intent. Typical types are accidental, negligent, and reckless. Finally, special circumstance in murder cases may well result in the imposition of the death penalty (in states with capital punishment) for murder or life sentence without possibility of parole.
The death penalty is one of the most controversial subjects in the United States today. In the U.S. from 1977 through 2009 there were 1,188 people that were executed, primarily by means of lethal injection. Most death penalty cases involve the execution of murderers although capital punishment can also be applied for treason, espionage, and other crimes. People that are Pro death penalty say it is an important tool for preserving law and order, deters crime, and costs less than life imprisonment. They argue that the retribution or "an eye for an eye" honors the victim, and it helps console-grieving families, and ensures that the perpetrators of heinous crimes never have an opportunity to cause future tragedy. Then the people that are against capital