Each execution deters an average of 18 murders, according to a 2003 nationwide study by professors at Emory University.

The court considered, and rejected, the argument that executions deter violent crime.

Many expressed a hope that the executions would deter Hutu extremists from further massacres.

Study after study has shown that executions do not deter further murders.

Studies - especially older ones - differ as to whether executions deter other potential criminals from committing murder or other crimes.

Even proponents have been forced to concede that more than a century's experience has not produced credible evidence that executions deter crime.

Rational opponents rightly point out that no one has yet shown that executions deter murder.

Death-penalty proponents have not proved that executions deter murders or have any advantage over a sentence of life without parole.

Seven percent had no opinion, and 32 percent said executions do not deter.

He did not see how execution could deter this kind of crime.