Again--interesting thoughts. From a "right/wrong" perspective I tend to agree with Tris on this one that is is pretty hypocritical that we punish people for killing by killing. (I just thought of something ironic--an "eye for an eye" is NOT a Christian principle and aren't folks arguing that this nation should be patterned on Xtianity in another thread?)

But I'm also a pragmatist. For now we are stuck with it. Your assessment of older cases v. new seems to make sense although I'd like to see the raw stats before making any assumptions.

One day I will learn how to multi-quote a post. Sigh...