Should the Death Penalty be automatic for murder in SC?

South Carolina is one of the nearly two dozen states that currently have the death penalty. SC ranks 10th among all states nationally in most executions since 1976. All the southern states have the death penalty, with the exception of Virginia. However, the death penalty is not automatic for convicted murderers in South Carolina. Just this week, Jeffrey Powell was given life without parole for the murder of three of his family members in Greenwood. However, many people felt he should have gotten the death penalty. As it sits now, judges determine when to give the death penalty. However, if it was automatic for certain degrees of murder that would take the decision out of the judges hands. Should the death penalty be automatic for murder in South Carolina? Let us know below.