(CPOD) Jun. 3, 2004 - Many Americans support capital punishment, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 71 per cent of respondents back the death penalty for persons convicted of murder.

Since 1976, 912 people have been put to death in the United States, including 27 during 2004. A third of all executions take place in the state of Texas. Twelve states and the District of Columbia do not engage in capital punishment, and moratoriums on executions have been issued in Illinois and Maryland.

Capital punishment has become an important topic as a result of two recent high-profile court cases. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for suspected Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols, alleging that he worked with Timothy McVeigh—who was executed in June 2001—to acquire materials and fabricate the bomb. The attack destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah federal building on Apr. 19, 1995, killing 168 people.

The trial of Scott Peterson began earlier this week in California. Peterson has pleaded innocent to two counts of murder after the remains of his 27-year-old wife and a fetus were discovered on the shores of San Francisco Bay in April 2003. If convicted, Peterson could face the death penalty.

Polling Data

Are you in favour of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?

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