White's change of heart came after spending more than two years in prison when he was falsely convicted for his wife's murder. The case was later overturned, and since then White has been an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.

Despite supporting the death penalty, audience member Michael Maurer (junior-administration of justice) said White offered him a new perspective on the issue.

"(White) made me realize that there are probably people sitting on death row who are innocent," Maurer said.

In addition to the possibility of error during the legal process, White also cited race and class discrimination within the criminal justice system as reasons for his position.

Sharing White's stance was panelist Rob Dunham, a defense attorney in Philadelphia for people on death row. Ron Eisenberg, a prosecuting attorney for the Philadelphia district attorney's office, represented the pro-death penalty slant.

Eisenberg told the audience not to be lured into sympathizing with the criminal more than with the victim. Too often, he said people immediately label death penalty supporters, particularly murder victim's families, as cold-hearted.

"To characterize (murder victim's family members') feelings as vengeful and bloodthirsty is extremely disrespectful to them," he said. "I think it can be all too easy to look down on those masses of people who support the death penalty."

The death penalty is a complex topic, said Jen Petullo (senior-geography), member of Penn State Amnesty International. But the best thing students can do is follow the advice of the panelists, who encouraged people to educate themselves on the issue, she said.