The Death Penalty: The Deterrent Thesis: As a deterrent in our justice system the death penalty should continue to be used I. Cruel or unusual punishme A. Existing means. B. Former means, II. The deterrent effect A. Eliminate future criminal behavior III. Rehabilitation verses vengeance. A. Rehabilitation and serving time. B. Vengeance IV. Criminals families. A. Rehabilitation B. Retribution C. Restoration V. Christianity A. The fifth commandment VI. Closing A. Today's reality "Had the death penalty been a real possibility in the minds of ...murderers, they might well have stayed their hand. They might have shown moral awareness before their victims