[hocndoc]

The principle is the right not to be killed unless you are threatening another life.

Self-defense of the individual, inalienable right not to be killed of the people in cooperation as a State is the consistency of principle behind the death penalty.

[MEGoody]

"The principle is the right not to be killed unless you are threatening another life."

I understand the principle. The question is, why is the SC saying anything at all about the death penalty? Murder cases are handled by the state, not the U.S. government.