Statement–Argument — Should a person found guilty of rape be punished with capital punishment? Arguments: I) Yes; severe punishment deters grievous crimes and may change the behavior of would-be offenders. II) No; capital punishment could incentivize the offender to kill the victim to destroy evidence. Choose the strong argument(s).

Introduction / Context:Penal policy must weigh deterrence, retribution, incapacitation, and unintended consequences. The death penalty for rape is uniquely contentious because it can alter offender incentives.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Harsh penalties can deter some offenders, though evidence varies.
• If the penalty for rape equals that for murder, offenders might murder to silence witnesses.
• Victim safety and reporting rates are crucial policy metrics.

Concept / Approach:Argument I is strong: it advances a classic deterrence rationale, prioritizing public safety and moral condemnation. Argument II is also strong: it highlights a perverse-incentive risk that directly undermines victim protection and prosecution success. Both are policy-salient and independently persuasive, so “either” is the correct evaluation.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:Some jurisdictions adopt very long non-capital sentences to avoid the perverse incentive while still being severe—illustrating that both concerns matter.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:“Only I/Only II” suppress the competing, credible concern; “Neither” denies evident stakes.

Common Pitfalls:Ignoring impacts on reporting when penalties become extreme.

Final Answer:If either I or II is strong.