3466 — Capital Punishment and Jury Duty
By Editor
Is it right in God's sight to condemn a murderer to death? In this State the jury has to pass sentence. Is it right for a Christian who does not believe in capital punishment to acquiesce in such decision? H. We believe that invariably a court would excuse a man from jury duty on a murder trial who did not believe in capital punishment; and it is the duty of such a one, if he is chosen, to acquaint the trial judge with his conviction. It is a God-given right that a State should protect its citizens; and he who deliberately kills another, knows the consequence. Normally, it is not the juror nor the judge that condemns a murderer to die; it is the law; and the verdict, if the prisoner be found guilty, is simply saying that under the law he must be executed if there be no extenuating circumstances. If there are, we presume that all States permit modification in sentence.