It was at one time not at all uncommon for ten innocent persons to be put to death because of supposed responsibility for one natural death. [1]
Treason—the “selling out” or betrayal of one’s tribal associates—was the first capital crime. Cattle stealing was universally punished by summary death, and even recently horse stealing has been similarly punished. [2]
Many ancient rulers, including Hammurabi and Moses, recognized that many crimes, particularly those of a grave sex nature, should be punished by burning at the stake. [3] Moses prescribed death penalty for ghost cultists. [4] Romans denied Jews right to inflict death penalty without the approval of a Roman tribunal. [5] Jesus declared that the state has the right of self-defense in the manner of its own choosing, even with death penalty. [6]
In the most developed continental nation of a neighboring planet numerous crimes aside from murder, including betrayal of governmental trust, also carry the death penalty, and the visitation of justice is sure and swift. [7]