icana).
             Throughout the middle ages in Europe and into the colonial times in America, capital punishment was carried out to the extreme, often without a fair trial, if one at all. The executions were almost always done in the public and were usually barbaric and inhumane. It wasn't until the 18th century that certain people began to believe that the current death penalty may not be the best solution to violent crimes (Encarta Encyclopedia). At this period in time, otherwise known as the Enlightenment, there were many philosophers and writers who began to go against the "norm" of society, and some questioned the death penalty and its humanity. The questions that were brought up by these people were ones like, is the death penalty inhumane?, is the death penalty necessary?, if so can the system be reformed to the point were the methods of execution are less barbaric and more civilized?
             The Italian criminologist, economist and jurists named Cesare Beccaria was the first person to put his/her ideals about capital punishmen
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