I just read this entire thread, and ultimately, I am for the death penalty. I live in Virginia, and (according to Wikipedia) since 1976 when the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment, there have been 110 executions.
Also, a couple years ago, there was a family of four killed in my county (
here). As it says, the man was drunk, underage. It wasn't the first time he'd driven drunk (I believe. If you care to double check me, google 'family of four killed in car crash in Frederick County, VA). As many people have said, you could hear the parents (the kids apparently died of blunt force trauma before the fire started) crying for help while they were burning in the car. I'm sorry, but I can't help but think he should've got the death penalty (he got 20 years). Call me terrible, but I honestly don't care. As far as what was said by people who stopped to call for help, they heard cries for help from the car while it was burning. While I'm semi-sure he'll get what he deserves in prison, I would've rather him got the death penalty.
Another link.Another.[Edit]: Apparently, if you are convicted of one of these crimes in Virginia, you are eligible for the death penalty: (Wikipedia)
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder in the commission of abduction,
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder during a robbery or attempted robbery
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder by a person engaged in a continuing Criminal Drug Enterprise
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder in the commission of rape or attempted rape or sodomy, or attempted sodomy, or object sexual penetration
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder of a person under the age of 14 by a person over the age of 21
-Contract killing
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder of more than one person (within a three year time frame)
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder of a pregnant woman
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder by an inmate while in a correctional facility.
-Willful, deliberate and premeditated murder committed during an act of terrorism.