A cruel, unusual debate over capital punishment

Re “State Halts Execution to Review Procedure,” Feb. 22

The San Quentin State Prison warden wants to make sure that killer and rapist Michael Morales will feel no pain at his execution. Did the young woman he choked, beat with a hammer, raped and stabbed in the heart feel no pain? Am I the only one who thinks there is something wrong here?

DON WAGNER

Santa Monica

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For those of us unsure of the merits of the death penalty, the indefinite postponement of Morales’ execution is encouraging. However, my question is, where was all of this medical moral outrage during the execution of Stanley Tookie Williams?

VINCE JORDAN

Los Angeles

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In light of concerns about the pain supposedly suffered by the condemned when executed by lethal injection, it is time for the state to offer at least three methods of execution -- lethal injection, firing squad or hanging. Let the condemned choose the means, and then let us get on with it. I see no value in prolonging the life of a convicted rapist and killer.

CARLOS F. CUYUGAN

Lake Forest

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An execution has been halted because doctors don’t want to be involved with taking a life. I just wonder how that squares with late-term abortion, “do not resuscitate” orders, not continuing treatment when a patient doesn’t have insurance or attempts to have doctor-assisted suicide legalized. These situations make it hard to believe the doctors’ claims that they are taking the high road in this matter.

Perhaps the state should hire Dr. Jack Kevorkian to assist in this matter.

BARRY LEVY

Redondo Beach