abolish the death penalty.

The death penalty is flawed in both its application and principles. There is proof that it has no general deterrent effect against crime. The death penalty violates the Cruel and Unusual Punishment clause of the Constitution. The death penalty is racist: African American defendants are 1.7 times more likely to get the death penalty than Caucasians, and murderers of Caucasians are 4.3 times more likely to get the death penalty than murderers of African Americans. It is implemented arbitrarily and unfairly. There is strong evidence that the death penalty has been used in cases where the defendant is later proven to be innocent. Lastly it is not cost effective (Life without parole could save as much as $170 million per year and provides the same level of societal protection without the risk).