Well point #2 is obviously not working, and it makes sense, how many murderers are making rational decisions? Also, who would be deterred by the risk of execut

Well point #2 is obviously not working, and it makes sense, how many murderers are making rational decisions? Also, who would be deterred by the risk of execution, but not deterred by the risk of a life sentence? Claiming harsh sentencing is a deterrent is a convenient cover for the real reason - it's about revenge. Because it very obviously isn't a deterrent, at least, not an effective one. Unless US states that execute people have dramatically lower rates of murder than states that don't, in which case, I'm wrong and stand corrected. Guess it depends which of rehabilitation or punishment you value most.