Letters: Debating the death penalty
Re “Death penalty in Boston?,” Editorial, Feb. 2
Thank you for your clear rationale declaiming the death penalty even for such a horrid crime as targeting innocent runners and spectators at the Boston Marathon. Vengeance is clearly no good reason for taking anyone’s life.
The death penalty is, as you so aptly point out, not only barbaric but immoral. As a Catholic, it is against the principle that I respect life from birth to death. Other stringent methods to punish a person exist and are more effective, such as life without parole.
As a lawyer myself, I cringe at the thought of pursuing a death sentence for alleged bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. To continue to support punishment by death puts us on the same level as countries with some of the least enlightened judicial systems.
Annette Debs
Los Angeles
As you speak of the mayhem and mindless acts alleged to have been committed by Tsarnaev that blew away the limbs and lives of too many innocent and unsuspecting citizens at the Boston Marathon, you also whine about the cruelty of the death penalty.
I can be fair, compassionate, humane and loving. I am not a monster. The very thought of this individual having been given citizenship in our country is an insult. The method of lethal injection that would be applied on Tsarnaev is merciful in comparison to what he is accused of doing.
This is about justice, not revenge.
You speak of the cost of capital punishment. But the important issue is to bring closure to the victims who are suffering.
Raul Tinajero
Hacienda Heights
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