I fully support the death penalty for serial or mass murderers, for serial rapists and child molesters who murder their victims, and for anyone who kills in order to escape arrest or prison; however, I do not support the death penalty for serial rapists or child molesters who do not kill their victims. Personally, I would be fine with shooting them all, but there needs to be some punishment distinction between those how kill and those who do not to discourage serial rapists/molesters from killing their victims.
For example, consider the Elizabeth Smart rapist. When she was 14, she was kidnapped from her home during the middle of the night and kept prisoner for months, during which time she was chained in the woods and raped daily. At one point her rapist decided to add to his harem and attempted, but failed, to kidnap a second child victim. After she was found, he was tried and sentenced to two life terms in federal prison. He was not eligible for the federal death penalty, because he did not kill his victim.
Suppose he was given the death penalty. Child Rapist #2 then kidnaps a child to rape. After temporarily satisfying his urges, he realizes that if he is ever caught, he will get the death penalty. However, he can greatly reduce his chances of ever getting caught or of being convicted if he is caught by killing his victim and disposing of her body. So, he murders his victim and disposes of her body. Then, when the urge arises again, he kidnaps another child to rape and murder, repeating the cycle whenever the urge arises. I have basically described the Kara Robinson rapist. What additional penalty can we give Child Rapist #2 to discourage him from killing his victims?
Unless and until we bring back drawing and quartering or burning at the stake, then the death penalty needs to be reserved for murderers.
You might be using an outlier…a selective rare event to justify an argument about a broad topic.
On the other hand a serious study showed for every execution 6 potential murders are deterred.
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Naci Mocan—2002 published a study 5-6 fewer murders for each execution and even more amazing for each pardon about 1.5 extra murders took place.
Washington Post—article, murderous pardons?
Although I admit there is some logic to the second thing you said “dead men/kids tell no tales”.
Although I think just the prospect of life would be enough to cause such awful excuses for humans to kill their victims anyway to cover their trails.