Should the death penalty be abolished in all the states?

On July 1, 2011, the State of Illinois will no longer have a death penalty law. Illinois will join 15 other states in this endeavor. The reasons given behind this abolitition is the death recurrence of innocent people. I really have mixed opinions, concerning this. I have always stated that I would rather let 10 men go free, than to convict one innocent man/woman. Their death penalty conviction will be reduced to life in prison, without parole. Question: by abolishing the death penalty laws, will this be a big enough deterrent to keep people from killing each other or is this just “smoke on the water”? And, your opinion is…......................