Is there a viable alternative to the death penalty?

Everyone obviously has an impassioned opinion regarding the death penalty ("Next up: Death penalty," Dec. 3). I have myself wavered in my stance regarding this issue. Is there any benefit to society to repeal the law? If the state retains capital punishment, does it act as a deterrent for people on the street? Does the criminal even think about the consequences before he pulls the trigger and snuffs out the life of another?

December 10, 2012