Ethereal....

"You can't take a life... whatever the reason."
Oh yeah? How about in a war? How about if someone is threatening to kill or maim you or a loved one or someone down the street and you're pretty sure he's going to act on those threats? With imminent danger the pivotal test, I don't know of a religion or legal system that doesn't recognize self defence or the defence of others as a legitimate reason to kill. And surely society, just as much as any individual, has a right to defend itself and exercise the defense of the people within it.

"And... violence begets violence."
Not if the person who started it and is bent on continuing it is dead....

Mooman...
"I wonder, for instance, how many miscarriages of justice (i.e. pro or against the defendant) would have been avoided with the DNA techniques now available?"

Bingo!
I realize forensic scientists have made mistakes in the past and will continue to do so, but the technology has advanced so far that in major cases it could be a deciding factor -- either way. And if all the elements of proof come together, including the DNA and other tests, to show somebody committed a heinous, premeditated crime, I wouldn't hesitate to push the plunger or throw the switch.

david