While the majority of Americans support use of the death penalty, 73% are at least somewhat concerned that some people may be executed for crimes they did not commit. Forty percent (40%) are very concerned.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 26% are not very or not at all concerned about the possibility of the wrong person being executed for a crime.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of Americans now favor the death penalty, while 23% are opposed. Sixteen percent (16%) remain undecided about capital punishment.

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As in their overall views of the death penalty, women are more worried than men that some people may be wrongly executed. Older Americans tend to be less concerned about this possibility than those who are younger.

Two-thirds (67%) of African-Americans are very concerned that some people may be executed for crimes they did not commit, compared to 32% of whites.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of Democrats are very concerned about possible wrongful executions, a view shared by a plurality (41%) of those not affiliated with either major political party but just 22% of Republicans.

Those who earn less than $40,000 are much more concerned about this possibility than those who earn more.

Sixty percent (60%) of voters say last week's shootings at Fort Hood should be investigated by military authorities as a terrorist act. The Army intends to charge the alleged shooter in that case, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, with 13 counts of premeditated murder, which makes him eligible for the death penalty.

Courts are becoming increasingly reliant on DNA evidence in capital punishment cases to better determine the guilt or innocence of those charged in capital crimes. Thirty-five states now have the death penalty, but supporters and opponents of the punishment disagree how many, if any, have been wrongly executed.

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