Advertisement

Readers React: Don’t spare Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s life

Share

To the editor: When the Times’ editorialists conclude their plea to the jury (and all Americans) that the conviction of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on all 30 counts for his participation in the massacre at the Boston Marathon should not result in his execution, they suggest that killing him would exhibit the mentality of the terrorist. (“Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev shouldn’t get death penalty,” editorial, April 9)

In 2013, Tsarnaev was old enough to vote. He was old enough to be responsible for his actions before, during and afterward, when he did not stand on his two feet to be arrested for the murder and harm of many innocents, but instead fled from capture.

To claim a higher morality, that this country should be “better than that,” is moralistically moronic. (May the morons of the world pardon me.)

Advertisement

Jesus himself called for the death of anyone who causes a child who follows him to sin against another person, and even that sin may not amount to murder. How can “we,” Americans all, excuse from execution someone who in coldest blood attacked a crowd of the “infidels” whose killing his faith demands of him? Someone, moreover, old enough to vote in his adopted land?

Jascha Kessler, Santa Monica

..

To the editor: The death penalty allows a perpetrator of horrific actions to escape into the dreamless sleep of unconsciousness. It is far better for Tsarnaev to remain imprisoned the rest of his life, to contemplate the evil of his deeds.

Despite his courtroom bravado, his victims will come to haunt him as the decades pass in prison.

David Glidden, Riverside

..

To the editor: You’ve got to be kidding. Ever hear of “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”?

The death penalty is what Tsarnaev deserves, but a lethal injection is too easy on him. What he deserves is to die just the way he killed that little boy — a pressure cooker bomb ripping out his legs, causing him to bleed to death.

Advertisement

Of course, we’re too civilized for that type of punishment.

Joan Kerr, Torrance

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook

Advertisement