Death Quote by Harry A. Blackmun
“From this day forward, I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death. ... I fell morally and intellectually obligated simply to concede that the death penalty experiment has failed.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Supreme Court Opinion, *Roper v. Simmons*, 2005
The death penalty is ineffective and morally wrong, so it should be abandoned as a form of punishment.
In simple terms: Capital punishment fails morally and practically.
Key Takeaway
Reject the death penalty.
Themes
justice
ethics
law
human rights
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
legal
ethical
When to use this quote
- criminal sentencing
- policy reform
- public debate
- legislative action
Key Concepts
retributive justice
deterrence
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is punishment more about retribution or deterrence?
- What alternatives can ensure public safety?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overlook victims' families' desire for closure.
![“The mandated description of fetal characteristics at two-week intervals, no matter how objective, is plainly overinclusive. [It is] not medical information that is always relevant to the woman's decision, and it may serve to confuse and punish her and to heighten her anxiety.” quote by Harry A. Blackmun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ae/harry-a-blackmun-19399_anxiety_the-mandated-description-of-fetal-charac_316886.jpg)
