>>>Jim, every year, prison guards and other prison employees are either killed or injured by those doing time for first-degree murder.
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>>So that possibly is an instance where the death penalty could continue to apply. I'm assuming that there would be direct video evidence of the perpetrators doing the deed.
>>Although, since it happens even with the death penalty in place, I don't see how that would make any difference. Other than to salve the "need" of death penalty proponents.
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>We have a lot of death penalty (and 'lifers' in states w/o death penalty) that have video/audio/DNA/mass number of witnesses that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt their guilt.
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>There have been and I'm sure there will continue to be questionable cases, but the grand majority of death penalty cases in this country in recent history have irrefutable evidence.

I'm sure that's true, Bill. But there will always be cases where evidence is questionable, or even just circumstantial.

But playing the averages is something unquestionably wrong when it comes to putting someone to death.

And why is there such urgency to put to death a person who is guilty beyond ANY shadow of a doubt?
Would you go for a change that says the person is guilty (as found by trial and at least 1 appeal) and says he wants to be put to death can then be put to death?