[Tealeaf]

There is another problem with the death penalty which has so far been missed and that is the Jury system. Just to take a sample of people from this forum - about two thirds of the contributors on here are level headed and sensible. One third, however are comprised of liberal do-gooders, crackpot conspiracy theorists, animal lovers and every other type of nutter you care to name.

Now, take this forum as a fair reflection of society; jury selection is based on the same. What would happen, say, if you were to get some child murderer or Islamic terror bomber up at Preston Crown Court, all evidence presented - including DNA - with the obvious verdict being guilty? The sentence is death by stringing up.

You can be dam sure that 8 or so of the jury will go for 'guilty', in the knowledge that the guilty party will hang. You can also be dam sure that 3 or 4 will go for 'not guilty' - not because they doubt his guilt - but because they believe the death penalty is somehow wrong. Result? Retrial. Retrial result? Retrial..and so on.

The only solution is to bring back hanging, trial by judges only.