Debate help?!

[Red Celt]

You will be demolished by facts if you go with your 3 points. Best stick to fuzzier things like the simple desire for revenge. It isn't very noble but at least you can argue it.

Revenge? No no no no noooooo! That argument will be destroyed. If the judiciary is simply about revenge, that gives the green light for citizens to handle the revenge themselves.

Incarcerations are (supposedly) for the following reasons:-

1. Justice
2. Rehabilitation
3. Deterrence
4. Public Safety

With the death penalty, number 2 can be taken off the list. It isn't a deterrent, so take 3 of the list. So you're left with:-

1. Justice
2. Public Safety

These are both applicable to the death penalty and (true) life imprisonment. You just have to find a way of arguing why the death penalty is a more suitable solution (within those 2 parameters).