Capital punishment has been a controversial subject in association with ethics throughout its existence. Issues relating to methods of execution, reasonableness of the relationship between punishment and crime, who is sentenced to death and innocence were discussed and studied in depth. Capital punishment remains in the United States an active form of “deterrence” for crimes considered the worst of the worst. In this article I will discuss the history of the death penalty. I will also disclose information about race dynamics, methodology, and valid death penalty court cases. History: The origin of the death penalty in America stems primarily from the influence of Great Britain. Capital punishment was a common exercise in British culture and the British brought the practice with them when they settled in America. The death penalty was used to punish a range of crimes, from murder to disobedience to a mother or father. In 1612, divine, moral and matrimonial laws were adopted. These laws authorized the death penalty for minor offenses like stealing grapes, killing chickens, and trading with Native Americans. Executions were a public scene until the 1830s, but eventually most were moved inside prisons. However, some public executions (particularly in the South and West) took place in public well into the 20th century. Laws and regulations regarding the death penalty differed from colony to colony (Death Penalty Information Center, 2011). Although capital punishment is common, the practice has been criticized. Some have questioned its morality and effectiveness as a deterrent to crime. Many abolitionists supported the movement to eliminate the medium of paper, staff, spiritual or religious advisor, media, and state-selected witnesses (Lethal Injection Procedure, 2010). Innocent people find themselves in the corridor of death, some are exonerated and some die while awaiting execution or at their scheduled death. Since 1973, 139 exonerations have occurred (Innocence Project, 2011). The criteria for exoneration is that they have been acquitted upon retrial, all charges have been dropped, or they have been granted an absolute pardon by the governor based on new evidence of innocence ( Death Penalty Information Center, 2011). People sentenced to death typically serve an average sentence of 13 years before being exonerated. However, some innocent people are still sentenced to death. The number is difficult to quantify, but most cases where innocence persists are often not investigated after the individual's death..