There is no reason for imposing the death penalty.

     That's the opinion of third longest-serving Supreme Court Justice in American history.

     And today, he visited Gator nation.

     Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is this semster's "Marshall Criser Distinguished Lecturer" at the Levin College of Law.

    A panel of professors asked Stevens what his views were on several hot issues-- including the death penalty, gun control, and health care.

    When it comes to the death penalty, Stevens says he believes life in prison without parole is actually worse than execution.

    Now in three weeks, Florida is scheduled to execute 47-year-old Paul Augustus Howell, convicted of killing a state trooper.

    Law Professor Kenneth Nunn says the discussion today was beneficial for students.

    Kenneth Nunn, UF Law Professor "It's a wonderful experience for them to be exposed to the expertise and wisdom that he has and to get a deeper and richer sense of what these cases are all about that they study every day."

     Justice Stevens retired in June 2010.