The death penalty has and always will be a controversial topic. People opinions vary depending on the situation involving the death penalty, for example in H.L. Mencken's essay "The Penalty of Death" an essay in favor of the death penalty. Mencken's essay creates controversy because of his opinion and humor of capital punishment. The death penalty to Mencken is acceptable punishment also described as katharsis; katharsis is "salubrious discharge of emotions, a healthy letting of steam." Mencken bothered with the process of America putting off the punishment for a number of years. The death penalty is acceptable and agrees with Mencken's views about katharsis for the victims' families, hangman's job considered unpleasant, and prolongs execution of convicted murderers.

Katharsis is a way for victims releasing grief or anger in a healthy way. For instance, Timothy McVeigh placed bombs in the Oklahoma City building and killed thousands of...