I agree (about not having a death penalty but not about punishing worse than death) but for different reasons. I actually feel taking out bad influences for the world. People who left to their own devices will seek to do horrific things. I feel that makes sense. The problem for me is the state or anyone really doing it. One is it is a an irreversible act. Two it is a power/authority that is to absolute and ripe for abuse. Three it stinks of hypocrisy in the sense the state kills those who kill, would we rape those who rape? Fourth as a relatively "civilized" society the process of death penalty is more expensive than lifetime incarceration and if it was not then the process is likely not just enough.