Constitutional Passage
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." (Bill of Rights, Amendment VIII)
Article
Summary of Article and Explanation of Constitutional Connection
Shammas argues that the death penalty is unconstitutional because of the loneliness that drives inmates on death row insane . Shammas also believes that many innocent inmates are killed on death row. This relates to the 8th amendment because the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment.
Political Cartoon
Cartoon Explanation
The title of this political cartoon is "Lethal drug shortage; Tennessee reverts to electric chair". There is a guard standing in between an electric chair and guillotine saying "and in case of a power outage..." while pointing to guillotine. The guillotine is known for being a cruel punishment in the late 1700s , for it was use to behead people. This political cartoon is comparing the electric chair to the guillotine. This relates to the 8th amendment because it forbids cruel and unusual punishment such as the electric chair and guillotine.