Precisely. Killing the innocent is a sin.
Putting to death a taker of life is actually showing respect for life.
If there are innocent people on death row this is a separate issue. This needs to be addressed, but someone who is guilty of murder needs to pay the price for taking a human life.
All things being equal, you would be correct. However, things are not equal. Our criminal justice system in this country is so corrupt and dishonest that any God fearing Christian can't help but wonder if the authorities can be trusted with the taking of a life.....any life.
Just look at some of the stories we see and hear about pertaining to corrupt cops, dishonest lawyers, and judges who see everything through an ideological prism. It's corrupt from the top down and bottom up. Therefore, I myself cannot support the death penalty.