>>>it seems presumptuous to place this judgement in the hands of a group of human beings, especially in light of the governing Commandments.<<<

What "Commandments", Amos? Those of Moses, do you mean? Why, the book of Deuteronomy goes into enormous detail as to the crimes which warrant death, what particular form the death sentence should take for each particular offence, & so on. If you mean the "Shalt not kill" commandment of the boring old original 10; that surely means, in the context of the time, that, if you do, you will cop the like in your turn.

Anyhow, when didst thou last fret about coveting thy neighbour's ass, eh?

~Michael~