Should the death penalty be abolished?

Write an argumentative essay about whether the death penalty should be abolished or kept only in very extreme cases (in the US). My position is that yes it should be abolished just like in Europe and Canada. The essay should be in APA format and APA citation (approx, 1000 words total). The essay should include both, the argument and the counter-argument. If you find it easier to argue that the death penalty should be kept instead of abolished, then it’s okay to write it from that perspective. The sources/references used should be credible such as books or journal articles, NOT google or wikipedia.