Among the Lowest of the Dead: The Culture on Death Row

The death penalty is often levied in Florida, where 90% of surveys show that residents favor it. Von Drehle, a staffer at the Washington Post and formerly a reporter for the Miami Herald, presents a compelling argument against capital punishment. He does not discuss the morality of the issue and covers only in passing such contentions that killing one killer will deter others. Rather, he points out the vagueness of Florida's law, which many other states have copied, and shows how the human frailties of judges make its application capricious. He also assesses the role of politics: anyone seeking statewide office in the Sunshine State must favor the death penalty. Examining politicians, judges (including Supreme Court Justices), prosecutors, defense attorneys and the condemned themselves, the author makes an effective case that, despite new laws, execution is no less a lottery than it has always been. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour. (Mar.)