I'm against the death penalty, but I'm willing to admit that there may be justifiable exceptions. Is this one of them? That was for the jury to decide, not me, but I certainly won't lose any sleep over their decision.
THAT is an excellent question. I could counter that if you are against the death penalty, then stick to your guns. But I also agree that there can be justifiable exceptions, but then my ethics take over and say that there are no justifiable reasons to kill. I would kill to protect myself from being killed. I would kill to prevent someone from being tortured if there was no other choice. But take the decision from my hands so I won't be responsible? It is too easy to shun responsibility like that.
Some cultures see 'warranted' execution as mercy. Maybe this is a case of mercy.