The murderer of 11 souls at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh was just sentenced to death. What do you think? What should we do with such people?

In 1977, I prosecuted an early death penalty case in Illinois after the United States Supreme Court gave states the green light to proceed with capital cases. William H. was charged with killing two pharmacists at a small pharmacy at Halsted and Madison Streets in Chicago. As a contract killer, William H. had murdered perhaps 15 other souls. One by one by one. After a three week jury trial at 26th & California, he was found guilty. After another week of testimony on sentencing, the jury voted unanimously that he should die. On January 6, 2023, I posted on how William H. – during the trial – had asked if I would get him a candy bar. And being the soft soul I am, I did. Though I donned track spikes for closing argument. My opening lines – with finger pointed at William H. – “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, here sits before you – the grim reaper of death. Taking fathers from children. Husbands from wives. And sons from mothers and fathers.”

The death penalty. . . . what do I think? Juries voted unanimously that it was appropriate for the Tree of Life killer and for William H. Then again. . . .

While the death penalty can be justified, life without parole in a maximum security facility may be more deserving. To wake up each morning for the rest of your life. Early. Behind bars in a 6 foot by 9 foot cell. The screams and yells of others. Barely edible food. Danger lurking at every turn. Boredom. And, capital cases can be more expensive financially (for taxpayers) – appeal after appeal after appeal by those on death row. Going on for years. Compared with the more modest fiscal cost of life in prison. What should we do with such people?