re: Brandons justice department trying to halt the death penalty.. Thoughts?

The death penalty should be reserved, on a federal level, for treason and heinous crimes. It's like the Supreme Court once said, you can't define it but you know what it is when you see it.

On a state level, the death penalty is mostly for the comfort of the victim's family. It is not a effective deterrent as murder rates are going up. Next look at the cost to the state of defending the lawsuits filed by the guilty. I would be interested in seeing the cost of keeping the guilty locked up.

Morally, ask your self about all of these exonerations after being found guilty due to DNA evidence or prosecutor misconduct.

The most effective is when the prosecution takes the death penalty off the table in return for guilty plea and a waiver of all rights to file appeals.

Indeed it is difficult to judge the worth of the death penalty except for treason and heinous crimes.