\-\[When the death penalty started] there were five states [that did not have the death penalty.] \-\The states [that did not have the penalty] were Maine, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas and South Dakota. \-\The Death Penalty was used {in Michigan and North Dakota} {for treason.} \-\{In the United States} there have been 3,332 executions {for murder,} 455 executions {for rape,} 6 executions {for other crimes.} \-\Those are the more serious charges \F\{on a lesser note,} 24 executions {for armed robbery,} 20 executions {for kidnapping,} 11 executions {for burglary,} 6 executions {for aggravated assault} and 8 executions {by the Federal Government} {for espionage.} \-\There were a few methods {of executions} {in 1930.} \-\Twenty one states {including the District} {of Columbia} used the electric chair. \-\One state used the lethal gas method [which was Nevada.] \-\One state gave the choice {of hanging or firing squad.} \-\Seventeen state and federal prisons use gallows {as punishment.} \-\{By the year} 1965 the number {of different ways} to execute has dropped {to three major ways,} electric, gas, and lethal injection. \-\The death penalty has come along way {since the Dark ages} {to today.} \-\Today there are 24 states [that use the electric chair.] \-\There are currently 11 states [that still have the use {of gallows.}]

     \-\Many people believe [that someone [who takes the life {of a person}] should have his own life taken.] \-\Some people {of today} follow the biblical quote "an Eye {for an Eye".} \-\{For people} [whop favor the death penalty] it can not bring back the loss {of a loved one,} \-\but it can assure [that this person will not harm anybody else] and will help {with the pain.} \-\Many people believe [that Juvenile [who take=SV a life] should be tried {as an adult.}] \-\[If you can engage {in savage brutality}] you should be old enough to suffer the consequences. \-\There is a saying ["Do the Crime] [you do the Time".] \-\The death penalty does not do its job {for some} {of the people} [it should,] and works to good {for some people.} \-\Mr. Scalia said ["Death {by Injection} looks pretty desirable {next to the murder} {of a man} ripped {by a bullet} suddenly".]

     \-\{In the united states} there are more Blacks put {in jail} {than Whites.} \-\{Along with that} is [that more death sentences are issued {to Blacks} {than Whites.}] \-\About 40 percent {of the convicts} put {to death} {since 1977} have been black. \-\{Since 1976,} 245 convicts have been handed the death penalty, \,\84 percent {of their victims} were white. \-\{From the year} 1960 {to 1992} there are 1,241 whites and 926 blacks {in federal and state prisons.} \-\{In 1992} there were 46 whites and 52 blacks {in prison.} \-\There is a for better chance [that [if a black kills a white] that he will get the penalty.] \-\there is a good chance [that [if a white kills a black] he may not get the penalty.] \-\The major reason [blacks go {to jail}] is [because of they sell drugs and armed robbery.] \-\Whites being arrested {for drugs} has dropped considerable {in the past few years.}

     \-\Capitol punishiment is a problem {in the United States.} \-\The major question is [does the death penalty work.] \-\There are two sides {to this argument,} \,\people have different reasons {for being} {one side or the other.} \-\[When it comes {to the death penalty}] gender and color should not measure [how you get punished.] \-\I am {for the death penalty.}

The student obviously got this information from somewhere. In cases such as this, it would be interesting to compare the syntax of the original to the student's.

 
This is a run-on that leads into a fragment.

[sic]

[Note tthe missing "a." It appears that the writer was undecided between "a juvenile" and "juveniles."]

[sic]

 
See Prep Phrase or SC?

[sic] Note the repetitioon of "that."

 
[sic] This error is an indication of the writer's equivocation between using the prepositional phrase or the subordinate clause.

 
[? sic]
See comma-splices.