Between 1976 and 2013, 1,329 defendants have been executed under the death penalty in the United States. Through objective discussion, numerous direct quotes, and full-color illustrations this title explores the issue. It includes chapters such as: What Are the Origins of the Death Penalty Controversy? Is the Death Penalty Just Retribution for the Worst Crimes? Is the Risk of Executing the Innocent Too High? Is the Death Penalty Discriminatory and Unfair? and Are Death Penalty Methods Constitutional?