Chip2447, in cases other than this one, mentally handicapped persons have been put to death for crimes. How is someone of the mentality of a little child, say 7 years old, supposed to accept the responsibility of their actions if they don't even understand what murder and death are all about?

Also, how is anyone supposed to accept their responsibility without time to think about it, in a tiny cell, and talk it through with someone, i.e. a counsellor? Surely, even someone the state is planning to put to death deserves a chance to talk it through, understand why they have been sentenced to death, etc.? No, I know they most likely didn't do the same with their victims, but why would the government want to emulate their methods of kiling anyway?

Ol' Bobert, sorry to say we may have found one thing in which we do not agree. Though I am not a "follower of Christ" I am spiritual and I do not believe any god is cruel enough not to understand the tortured soul of a suicide and forgive them. We sure DO agree about the death penalty, though!

kat