The death sentence is always open to the failings of the court/trial by jury. If 12 people say he did it then surely he must of?... This shouldn't be the basis to execute. It should only be delbt when there can be no doubt that he murdered i.e. was seen with knife in hand and body attached. It seems the revolking of the death penalty was done due to the failing of the legal system. A system that didn't adequately ensure the guilt of the person they executed. I believe the death penalty is an important deterrant to criminals. Hopefully the ones with any sense will understand that the taking of a life could mean the taking of their own and hence they will not delve into the dark side. The state has to be certain, otherwise the state is guilty of manslaughter.. what then? a coup d'état?