What I've heard Mark say is, if someone supports the death penalty knowing innocent people are sentenced to death, then that person supports putting innocent people to death. Logically, I can't find a way to disagree with that statement.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that human beings make mistakes. Right? It stands to reason that 100% of those sentenced to death CANNOT BE guilty. Statistically impossible. So, there must be a small percentage that are truly innocent. How much? Who knows? 5%? 2%? Do the math at 1%. If we can concede that 1% of those on death row who are put to death are truly innocent, then we are applying that penalty unjustly on the innocent 1% for the sake of the other 99% and I find THAT unacceptable. Would ANY death penalty supporter find it acceptable if he or she were innocent and sentenced to death?
I know I can't.
There is a very good movie starring Kevin Spacey and Laura Linney that deals with exactly this subject, The Life Of David Gayle.
I'm a new listener and, prior to finding FTL, I supported the death penalty. Now, I'm against it.