Government should defend life, not take it

Last Friday I was in my usual barbershop getting my hair cut and trying to ignore the TV. But I did hear about the decision in the Boston bomber trial. The jury voted unanimously to execute the bomber.

I thought about it for a couple of minutes and then said, “I guess that decision pleases lots of people, but not me. I don’t like the idea of the government killing somebody, no matter how bad he is.” I didn’t know how my barber would respond, but he agreed with me.

I understand, though, why people want the death penalty for someone like 21-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. He was convicted of planting bombs on the route of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Three people were killed, 17 lost legs and 240 more were otherwise badly wounded. His older brother, Tamerlan, was also involved but was killed trying to avoid capture.

I know many people consider the death penalty the proper punishment for such a horrible crime, but somehow I don’t like the idea of my state or federal government being in the business of killing people, even killers.

Another argument against the death penalty came from the parents of 8-year-old Martin Richard. He was killed by one of the marathon bombs. It also seriously injured other family members. His parents published an open letter urging a life sentence. They feared a death sentence would mean lengthy appeals. The continuing news coverage would keep their emotional wounds from healing.

Another reason for opposing the death penalty is that judges and juries aren’t infallible. We’ve all heard of people being wrongfully imprisoned for many years and finally released. But a mistaken execution is irreversible.

There are 750 people on California’s Death Row. They’ve been convicted of terrible crimes, some in San Luis Obispo County: Richard Benson convicted of killing a Nipomo woman, her baby and two daughters; Rex Krebs convicted of raping and killing two college students; Michael Whisenhunt convicted of killing his girlfriend’s baby with hot grease and kicks; Dennis Webb convicted of raping, beating and shooting an Atascadero couple.

There have been no executions in California since 2006 because of federal court rulings. Texas, on the other hand, has had seven executions so far this year and 10 last year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Does that make Texas is safer? I’m not sure. Last Sunday, five Texas motorcycle gangs met at a Waco restaurant to settle territorial differences. Somebody’s foot got run over. The resulting fighting and shooting left nine dead and 18 wounded.

Governments should promote an appreciation for the value of life. They should defend life, not take it.

This story was originally published May 21, 2015 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Government should defend life, not take it."