>>Nope. Now I must admit, through a former grade school coach/friend of mine, I do know of a person on death row in Texas that is there because he would not testify against 2 companions in the burning deaths of a family. The fire was set to cover up a robbery/burglary. He refused to testify for fear of the other 2 accomplices [who have not been caught] killing his own family. However, because he was an accomplice, he is, under State law, guilty of the murders as well. If he were to tell the truth, he would get a much more favorable sentence.
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>>Unfortunately, the coach can not testify because it is heresay evidence. This young man was a track student of his about 10 years ago, and personally confided in the coach about what really happened.
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>Interesting... so you are against the death penalty?

Only if the laws were changed to life with absolutely no chance for parole. As a taxpayer, I prefer life in prison because, unless something has changed, in the long run, life imprisonment costs less than all the appeals and legal hoops required to execute someone. However, I absolutely believe all laws are to be faithfully executed until changed. To further illustrate my point, I also believe any laws associated with abortion must also be faithfully executed, regardless of my personal beliefs regarding the practice [which is irrelevant to this discussion].

Philosophically, I am not opposed to the death penalty for those undeniably guilty of capital murder. The people are responsible for electing those representives who will change laws or pass State/US Constitutional changes for voter approval required to affect changes. The courts should be the check to strike down laws in violation of State/US Constitutions and not be the promulgators of law as they have been prone to do in the past.