quote:
You know the killer. You grew up with him. He said, "Howdy," when in walked in the door-- then killed your friend. The point is, you claim it is NEVER possible to be sure. It is possible.
hypothetical situations can be used to argue anything, but our judicial system doesn't allow for a scale of confidence. where would the cut off point be in certainty be?
i think cash is right in that in the real world the death penalty just doesn't work. just like communism... hooray for everyone being provided for, but you always have circumstances that you can't account for.
on a bit of a different topic, i see the judicial system as a means to protect society first and foremost. punishment isn't really a means to protect society unless it's used as a form of rehabilitation.