Even the Bible agrees that the law is outdated. I'm pretty sure that Jesus said something along the lines of 'two wrongs don't make a right'.

The law predates the Bible, originally coming from the Code of Hammurabi. the purpose wasn't to create an equal punishment, but to limit it. The usual reaction to someone gouging out an eye is to kill him. The code limited the punishment to no worse than the crime.

"You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

And then the nice policeman comes by with a piece of chalk and outlines you with your cheek to one side. :O:

Good point :)

Good point Steve.
However he wasn't convicted of murder then, so executing people convicted of murder wouldn't have worked there either.

That's true too. Sure, if he was locked up all these years he wouldn't have killed anybody, and his escapes were from courthouses and jails, not from an actual prison. On the other hand he confessed to more than 30 murders before his execution, so which would be better - keeping him contained or just getting rid of him?

As I said, I'm not sure of my own feelings on this half the time, and I can see the merits of both arguments.

A deterrant doesn't necessarily stop every instance of what's being deterred, though.

Tough drunk driving laws certainly deters some people from driving intoxicated. Still people do it.

In any case, ever see the film "Law Abiding Citizen"? I would totally be for this killer meeting someone like Gerard Butler's character.