The death penalty is when someone is convicted of a capital crime and is executed. This has been around for hundreds of years. This punishment seems outdated and too severe. We should come up with more civil ways of dealing with people who are convicted of the capital crime. We aren't any better if we execute the person who committed the crime. When the death penalty started, it seemed reasonable. It set an example for others. Now we are more civil and don't need harsh punishment to set examples. That is why the death penalty should be illegal.