According to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Atkins v. Virginia, how does the death penalty promote public safety?

A. The death penalty serves as retribution for the most heinous crimes.
B. The death penalty demonstrates governmental authority as the most extreme punishment available.
C. The possibility of receiving the death penalty deters criminals from committing the most heinous crimes.
D. The death penalty is an unconstitutional and excessive punishment, given American society’s evolving views of decency.