I've wrestled with myself and reversed my own position several times throughout my life, to the point that I can't confidently advocate for one side of the issue or the other right now.

In theory, capital punishment would only be used against those who are incontrovertibly guilty. In practice, it has been used against many innocent people who would have been exonerated by later evidence.

In theory, the point of capital punishment would only be to protect society from someone who is actually too dangerous to live, not to exact vengeance. In practice, for most of the people involved, vengeance is a strong motivation.

In theory, capital punishment would be painless and humane, especially compared to a lifetime rotting in prison. In practice, executions are too-often botched, in which case they're torturously painful.

In theory, capital punishment would be carried out swiftly. In practice, inmates typically spend decades on death row, effectively punishing them with both life in prison and execution.

In theory, capital punishment should be cheaper and less of a state burden than a life sentence. In practice, it's more expensive due to the appeals and legal review process to which someone on death row is rightfully entitled.

In theory, if I myself were convicted of a capital crime today regardless of whether I was innocent, I would rather die than live the rest of my life in prison without chance of parole. In practice, I have no idea how I would actually face that situation.

In my heart, I want to believe that the world would be better-off if we swiftly and cleanly executed any monsters who prove themselves capable of murdering children. In my mind I know there is no black and white, only shades of gray.