No, the purpose of the justice system is not to provide the plaintiff's families with emotional catharsis. The purpose is to separate the criminal from society. That's all. If that's the justification for spending tax money on these kinds of cases, then it should be illegal.
If your ancestors were slave-owners, they probably wouldn't lynch them anyway since they've gotta have someone to pick their crops.
It's not only that, here are some other reasons as to why the death penalty may be used:
"Incapacitation: A felon in prison cannot commit crimes while imprisoned. An executed felon cannot commit a crime ever again.
2. Deterrence: The threat of punishment deters people from engaging in illegal acts.
3. Restitution: The felon is required to take some action to at least partially return the victim to the status quo ante.
4. Retribution: The felon harmed society; therefore society (or the direct victims) is entitled to inflict harm in return.
5. Rehabilitation: The punishment changes the felon in order to make him a better citizen afterwards. (The punishment can include mandatory vocational training, counseling, drug treatment, etc. (
http://home.page.ch/pub/rfm@vtx.ch/punishment.html)
Also where are you trying to get at? I just said that they weren't slave owners.
this makes less sense
I'm really confused.