| Characteristic | Share of respondents |
|---|---|
| An eye for an eye/ they took a life/ fits the crime | 35% |
| Save taxpayers money/ cost associated with prison | 14% |
| They deserve it | 14% |
| They will repeat crime/ keep them from repeating it | 7% |
| Deterrent for potential crimes/ set an example | 6% |
| Depends on the type of crime they commit | 5% |
| Fair punishment | 4% |
| Serve justice | 4% |
| If there's no doubt the person committed the crime | 3% |
| Support/ believe in death penalty | 3% |
| Don't believe they can be rehabiliateted | 3% |
| Biblical reasons | 3% |
| Life sentences don't always mean life in prison | 2% |
| Relieves prison overcrowding | 2% |
| Would help/ benefit families of victims | 1% |
| Other | 1% |
| No opinion | 4% |
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Source
Source
Release date
October 2014
More information
Region
United States
Survey time period
October 12 to 15, 2014
Number of respondents
1,017 respondents
Age group
18 years and older
Special properties
634 in favor of, and 335 opposing death penalty
Method of interview
Telephone interview
Supplementary notes
This question was phrased by the source as follows: "Why do you favor the death penalty for persons convicted of murder?"
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