It is only used for the worst kind of crimes and people are usually sentenced to death when they do not show signs of genuine remorse. It is used to appease the family of the victim(s) and also to discourage violent crime. The execution doesn't take place until after a very long appeals process. Still sometimes the wrong person is found guilty. I'm not totally in favor of it but have no strong feelings about it. When I think of the death penalty, I think of crimes like Jeffrey Dahlmer or even the kid that shot that one year old baby point blank in the face recently. Is there hope of rehabilitation for such people?