Rather than niggling about who gets is the victim, I'd like to ask the OP why he wants the death penalty rather than another sentence.

Is it to protect the public from further murder? (Imprisonment has the same effect)
Is it to deter the murderer in the first place (demonstrably does not work)

I suspect it is because he sees the death penalty as punishment ... aka revenge.
And that, I'm afraid, is not a good reason ... but it's common among so-called Christians who fail to follow in the thoughts of their star philosopher.

Just out of interest...
Five US states have abolished the death penalty in the last five years. California will vote in a referendum whether to scrap it in November. Oregon's governor has called a halt to all executions.

It doesn't work. It's never worked. It can't possibly be the right thing for anyone who wishes to be described as civilised to support.

Not the whole point. My main opposition to the death penalty is the potential for miscarriages of justice.

Texas will make up any shortfalls in numbers should these two abolish it.

Perhaps. In proposing adding to the argument "=#FF0000the person who can't run into the burning building, because they're in a wheelchair or are 82" and posing the question "=#FF0000Do age or disability mean that people become less special?"
.. you were I suppose on reflection clearly talking about the death penalty.

Though I haven't worked out why you would suggest those categories of people might be in line for it.

I'm in favour of the death penalty for certain crimes in theory but in reality as soon as even one innocent person is hung it renders the whole thing unworkable.

You can argue that modern techniques such as DNA can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that someone is guilty but that depends on a reliance on the police to be honest and trustworthy (so no evidence tampering etc) but I think the revelations about the police's conduct in the aftermath of Hillsborough shows they are anything but !

DNA doesn't prove anything beyond reasonable doubt. It may work in cosmoplitan areas such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol or Leeds, but it doesn't work in more rural areas where the DNA spread isn't as great.

Either way, we all know that the death of 2 young female police officers was more tragic than if it had been 2 male officers

I'm assuming that's irony?

Therefore I reserve the right to call you an amoral idiot

I'm an idiot for having an opinion? get over yourself prick

[url=http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/sep/21/man-jailed-indefinitely-children-rape?cat=uk&type=articleHard not to want to see this guy hanged...[/url