but still judge DP appropriate in some cases. I'll not speak for the others on this case, but even though I believe it the right thing to do here, it is without elation.

It's no secret on DU that I'm a civil servant - so when Timothy McVeigh murdered 22 kids, he also struck directly at my colleagues. I was at work the day of his execution and went into it wondering what I would feel. When it was over, there was no joy or satisfaction, just a quiet resignation that it was the right conclusion for that case.

I don't go around accusing DP opponents of being blood-thirsty with respect to the victims of those facing death for their crimes. If you want me to accept that your DP opposition is a sincerely-held belief that you hold after reasoned consideration, then please give me the same courtesy.

I don't see how the DA could refuse to pursue it in this case. What the jury decides is another matter. I wonder how the families of the victims feel about it.

But if it is ever going to be an option this case fits the criteria perfectly.
Everyone knows that many (but not all) of the family members looked him in the eye and said they forgave him, but they didn't say he should escape punishment. I think the DP outcome depends on whether some of those family members will oppose the DP when it comes down to it. That should be enough to persuade at least one jury member to refuse to kill the killer. SC, like most states but not all, requires a unanimous jury to impose a death sentence.

Then he becomes the "martyr" to their racist cause.

I say lock him up for good in a tiny cell with a big black guy.

acceptable in your name?

I'm always disappointed to see those sentiments implied on DU. Sometimes posters go further and state it explicitly.

Violence among prisoners is a far greater problem then the tiny percentage who face the death penalty. Rape of any kind is never justified or humane. Prison violence makes more likely that those released will be more violent than before they were incarcerated.

is nothing further than can ameliorate the loss. Certainly not memorializing their lives with his death. Any focus on him after everyone is safe and he is prevented from ever doing this again has less to do with justice for them and more to do with...

Sometimes that is really hard to see.

Keep him from doing it again. Quit letting people teach hate unchallenged.

That's all we can do, but it's more than we are doing now.

including in this case.

But, I'm not going to be marching in the streets to stop his execution either.

then so be it; either way he won't be around to kill anymore anyway. A victory for society either way.