Death Penalty Research

1.   I am interested in researching whether the death penalty is a violation of human rights. I find this interesting because I see the basic ideas from both sides of the argument to have valid points.

2.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/death-sentences-and-executions-in-2009

http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/death-sentences-and-executions-in-2009/americas

http://usliberals.about.com/od/deathpenalty/i/DeathPenalty.htm

http://uspolitics.about.com/od/deathpenalty/i/death_penalty.htm

http://www.balancedpolitics.org/death_penalty.htm

3.

 Why does capital punishment cost more than keeping perpetrators in jail their whole life?

Which is believed to be worse punishment for the perpetrator, capital punishment or life in prison?

Why the death penalty is not allowed in only some parts of the U.S.? Why is it not consistent throughout the U.S.?