Does the death penalty bring closure to victims?
• Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation and The Journey of Hope are victims’ advocacy groups that are opposed to the death penalty. People who have lost loved ones to murder founded these organizations. They provide support to family members of murder victims. Many of their members tour the country, explaining their opposition to the death penalty. • The speakers’ stories contrast starkly with the myths often used to support the death penalty, such as its supposed cathartic power for victims. After an execution, many victims are left with the same gnawing pain and anger they hoped the execution would ease. • The founder of The Journey of Hope, Bill Pelke, explains: “The death penalty has absolutely nothing to do with healing. [It] just continues the cycle of violence and creates more murder victim family members. We become what we hate. We become killers. Also see the section we have compiled regarding victims’ rights.
