Naturally, this has provoked a lot of recent debate over the death penalty itself. On the one hand, many believe that execution is the only just punishment for some criminals. On the other hand, there have been arguments that the death penalty is "cruel and unusual punishment," therefore against the Bill of Rights.
Although this issue doesn't incite a very strong opinion in me either way, I think it makes more sense not to use the death penalty for a variety of reasons. It may be cruel and unusual punishment (though we have no solid evidence of this yet), but it also costs more than a system with life without parole. Also, we are the only developed nation that still uses the death penalty, which probably isn't doing much to enhance our worldwide image, which currently needs all the enhancing it can get.
However, it's clear that the families of some of the sniper victims will be glad to see this murderer die. Let's hope that they continue to heal from their losses.
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