I wonder how many lives we would've saved or crimes which would not have been committed if we had a swift death penalty? Grid, you called me naive. Well, your premise follows the speech we hear on occasion, "If we are able to save just one life, then it is worth it." No, not always true. I believe that human life should have a finite value. Does a cigaretter smoker with lung cancer deserve a 100 million dollar settlement from the tobacco companies? No. But sometimes we implement processes/laws which have huge societal costs just so we can save that one life. And court settlements should have a ceiling.

You are so caught up in the thought that one or more innocent people might die on death row that you are willing to throw the whole system out the window. Well Massachusetts did, and it resulted in one of your "innocents" being killed (molestor priest killed by lifer because there was no further penalty). You Sir, are naive.