Replies

"Logically, if this is a question determined by free will, does not execution deprive the true criminal of any chance of exercise of free will by repenting and being saved?"

According to traditional Catholic doctrine, the purpose of execution is expiation (murder being an affront to God), not conversion. If the guilty party repents before he is excuted, then so much the better. He may yet save his soul THEN.

"What about the prisoner convicted in error - is it not better to "err on the side of life" for these cases?"

In a word, NO. What you mean is that the occasional incidence of error (statistically small) should be used as an excuse to absolve all proveably guilty persons for answering for their crimes. This would be an even greater injustice to the many more innocent victims of violent murder in the community.

What the h*** are you... a liberal Democrat?

Who said anything about absolving anyone? However, people unjustly serving a life sentence can be set free, while one that has been executed cannot.

This is not just an idle comment. My sister was assaulted many years ago, and recently the person convicted of the crime was found to have been innocent. For me and her, the issue is not "statistically small".