We rightly censure evildoers and criminals for their horrible, violent crimes. Now anyone with a classical and Christian upbringing and education recalls the Old Testament basic justice--it seems crude and vengeful today, but for its time, it was an advanced moral code, guiding Semitic peoples, not just the Hebrews--lex talionis or retributive justice. The injury inflicted was the punishment exacted upon the lawbreaker, the outlaw. In that way he was not punished too much or too little.
Here is the Biblical reference under Mosaic Law: Exodus, 21, 22-25: " . . . Buy if injury ensues, you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."
Jesus softened this law with forgiveness and meekness. His approach was more civilized and humane. Justice needs to be served and punishment inflicted, but it must not be cruel or inhumane.
I would rather we raise young people to individuate, to love God and the self, and to individual-live, and then these criminal excesses would arise much less frequency. And, as a result, administering harsh, retributive punishment upon infrequent offenders would be a subject not much occurring or in need of debating or much revisiting.
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