While I can understand the concern for innocents being wrongfully convicted (which always has and always will happen), what about cases where it's clear that the person is unquestionably guilty?
Personally, I think for murder where the evidence is overwhelming, the death penalty ought to be the default punishment. I can see always granting the judge the option at his discretion of handing out a life sentence with no possibility of parole for life rather than the death penalty, as there will always be extenuating circumstances to consider; but even then, the death penalty ought to be the default punishment, with the judge having to explain on record the reason for handing out the life sentence instead.
I know some might be concerned about the psychological trauma the death penalty can cause. I don't see that as an issue though since a simple solution would be to require the death sentence to be carried out within a period of, let's say, 48 hours of sentencing after which it must default to a life sentence. This would ensure a swift carrying out of the sentence. I can't imagine it taking more than 24 hours to assemble a firing squad.
Personally, I think for murder where the evidence is overwhelming, the death penalty ought to be the default punishment. I can see always granting the judge the option at his discretion of handing out a life sentence with no possibility of parole for life rather than the death penalty, as there will always be extenuating circumstances to consider; but even then, the death penalty ought to be the default punishment, with the judge having to explain on record the reason for handing out the life sentence instead.
I know some might be concerned about the psychological trauma the death penalty can cause. I don't see that as an issue though since a simple solution would be to require the death sentence to be carried out within a period of, let's say, 48 hours of sentencing after which it must default to a life sentence. This would ensure a swift carrying out of the sentence. I can't imagine it taking more than 24 hours to assemble a firing squad.