i think the death penalty, in some cases, should totally be used. but, instead, we have stright up killers who are past the point of no return still kickin it in prison on my dime. and yours. you pay to keep that person alive. im not down with my earned dollars going to 3 squares, weight rooms, and cable tv for people deemed unsuitable to be allowed free ever again. life in prison = free ride with maybe some forced love by your fellow scumbags. who gives a shit if it doesnt DETER crime from others? the unsaveable motherfucker who is now dead wont be hurting anyone else will he? he is sure detered. its about eliminating a seriously dangerous person, not inflicting punishment. you punish so people learn, you dont kill them so they learn, you kill them so they arent around to hurt anyone else. i agree that the justice system isnt reliable enough for most cases, but when someone is caught on scene, multiple credible wintnesses, and clear evidence is in hand, whjat the fuck are we even having a trial for? if they are ruthless killers or rapists, and its decided that they cannot ever again be allowed out into the world, why pay to keep them alive?