Poll Watch: Rasmussen (R) Survey on the Colorado Shooting and the Death Penalty

Rasmussen (R) Poll on the Shooting in Aurora and the Death Penalty 

If a jury believes a suspected criminal is mentally ill, should that suspect be punished less severely than someone who is not mentally ill? 

• Yes 25% 
• No 55% 
• Undecided 20% 

If convicted, should the suspect in the Colorado shooting incident receive the death penalty?

• Yes 66% 
• No 24% 

Do you favor or oppose the death penalty? 

• Favor 67% 
• Oppose 25% 

National survey of 1,000 adults was conducted July 24-25, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. 

Inside the numbers: 

Men support the death penalty even more strongly than women do. The majority of both groups also think the Colorado suspect should get the death penalty if convicted.  

Seventy-six percent (76%) of Republicans and 73% of adults not affiliated with either political party are in favor of the death penalty, a view shared by 53% of Democrats.  

Most Americans across the demographic board agree that a mentally ill-suspected criminal should not be treated less severely than one who is not. 

Eight-six percent (86%) of Americans have been following news reports about the recent shooting incident in Colorado at least somewhat closely, including 45% have been following them very closely.