For certain, horrific crimes, I think it is the only way that the full value of the victim's life can be recognized by society. For me, the death penalty is an expression of all that was lost by the victim and their family.
When a criminal dies for his or her crime, it is not to make up for it, because the victim's life can never be restored, but a recognition of the severity of what they have done. For some crimes, even life in prison is a mere slap on the wrist.
Ironically, I believe the death penalty says to all of society that we value life. We value it to the degree that those who viciously, selfishly take lives should not be allowed to keep their own. They have violated the sanctity of life to such a degree that they do not deserve to have a part in it anymore.
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