1) states with the death penalty have higher murder rates than states without the death penalty
2) the death penalty costs more than life in prison 
3) minorities are disproportionately sentenced to death compared to white murderers
4) we can, and do, incorrectly execute people and exonerate them posthumously
5) the overwhelming majority of nations have outlawed the death penalty. 

These facts are the basis by which I firmly believe the death penalty has no place in our state or elsewhere. I invite you to explore them and hopefully come to the same conclusion.