Texas executes more inmates on death row every year than any other state in the nation. With that in mind, the Political Science Symposium sponsored a debate on the death penalty Wednesday to offer a forum for discussion.

“We wanted an issue that students and the community can get involved in,” president of the Political Science Symposium Alicia Harden said.

George West, the administrative chief prosecutor for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, and Gary Taylor, a solo practitioner at the Law Offices of Gary Taylor, faced off on the issue in the Umphrey Lee Ballroom.

The event included a 10 minute session from each of the speakers and a question and answer session for both sides of the issue.

West, who is in constant contact with victims of rapists and murderers, supports the death penalty.

“I have seen the boogie man” explained West, referring to the countless conversations he has with death row inmates.

He said to deter crime you must have a severe punishment.

“If the teacher tells you: ‘If you come late you will have your finger cut off,’ would you come late?” he asked.

Taylor, the son of a police officer, does not agree with the death penalty. He explained what he saw as the four purposes of the death penalty: to create a general deterrence, to create a specific deterrence, for rehabilitation or for revenge.

Taylor believes that executions in our society increase crime. He cited studies showing states with the death penalty have higher crime rates than those without.

“There is also not a uniformity around the state,” Taylor said.

He also pointed out that sentences vary depending on where the trial takes place, he said.

To close the discussion both debaters spoke for five minutes.

“People like you can make a difference,” Taylor said. ” We don’t need capital punishment, it is not perfect, and is expensive.”

West feels that it goes beyond simply convicting people.

“Every day I walk into the court room, I know there is always going to be a victim,” West said.