Even if you could argue justified killing by the state, the fact that a poor person is much more likely to be "worthy" of execution is indefensible.
I find it incredibly ironic that conservatives who want the government out of our lives also think they should have the ultimate power of life and death upon the people.
Unless, of course, "poor" people (by whatever definition of "poor" is being used at the moment) are much more likely to commit first degree murder.
Even if what we have currently are half and three quarter measures to sentence people to death, then there should be at least half and three quarter measures to punish those who bear false witness. Such as Nifong should at this point be tried and convicted with a heavy sentence 25 years to life for his conspiracy.
If wealthy folks can afford to escape penalty through conspiracy and collaboration, then those same wealthy folk should be held accountable for that. If a DA or Sheriff conspires against a fall guy for other reasons then that Sheriff and DA should be held fully accountable. Make them indistiguishable from Journalists held accountable for their sources.
It's not about power over life and death. The death penalty is as old as man. There are some crimes that cannot be atoned for. Therefore the state is dutybound to be the avenger.
If someone killed my wife, or raped and killed my daughter, or slaughtered my sons, am I a bad person for wanting the murderer executed?
A murderer has already committed execution on an innocent person. The have killed that person, wrecked families forever, ruined lives, and prevented that person from having a legacy. They deserve death.
Murder is when someone plays God who shouldn't be playing God. When the state executes someone, they are doing that with authority not only from God, but from man.
That's why I said it must be absolute that the guilty has committed the crime. If so, justice is required.