ATLANTA, GA – Former President Jimmy Carter said on Tuesday he believes there are many ethical, financial and religious reasons to do away with the death penalty worldwide. Carter spoke at a day long symposium at the Carter Center in Atlanta about capital punishment. Statistics show the death penalty does not decrease violent crimes, and crime does not increase with the eradication of executions said Carter. He also stated there are unfair racial, economic and geographic disparities in the application of the death penalty.

“It’s hard to imagine a rich white man or woman going to the death chamber after being defended by expensive lawyers,” Carter said.

Source: Valdosta Daily Times