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The mindset that says no criminal should be put to death if there is the slightest possibility of error is the same mindset that would spend any amount of money--other people's money--to prolong one life. It sounds noble. In fact it is shortsighted and ultimately more destructive of other lives.

That's just the way it is.

So, I can fault your argument because it ultimately kills more innocent lives than it saves.

Anytime you personalize an argument with respect to justice, you destroy justice. That's why neither the family of the murdered victim nor the family of the killer is placed on a jury to determine guilt or punishment.

We have criminal trials, and even capital punishment in select cases, in part to prevent people from taking justice into their own hands. Most people can abide occasional errors from a justice system even if that result runs counter to their interests. But if they get to the point that they have NO confidence in it--as where it punishes arbitrarily or never appears to punish at all--then they tend to take matters into their own hands.

An imperfect justice system that strives to get it right is far superior to anarchy and vigilante justice.