Is it possible to oppose the death penalty without canonizing a demonstrably bad guy? Can't we simply hold that capital punishment is wrong without torturously twisting a lifeling criminal into some sort of savior? It damages credibilty when you try this approach. Indeed, it ends up justifying the status quo of capital punishment by arguing that the only reason he should not be executed is because he (fill in the blank). How about, we should not kill him because the death penalty is morally wrong? Even if he is guilty -- it's still wrong. Always. No matter what. Think clearly.