In the same period there were only 188 executions, or an execution .00055. In 1992 alone there were 23,760 murders, but only 31 executions. The murder to is so disparate as to totally destroy any deterrent effect. To consider of deterrence in this light quickly exposes the moral inadequacy of the argument. Yet, as a born-again Christian and an evangelical pastor, I wholeheartedly endorse punishment as just and equitable.
Retribution is an important element in law.
In contract law we sue for damages based value of our loss. In cases of theft retribution demands a repayment commensurate monetary loss. In the case of murder we have, in effect, the robbery of an innocent life. On the retribution principle, the murderer must make payment for the value of the life destroyed. Thus, the murderer must forfeit his own life, in that no monetary imprisonment is sufficient to pay the price.