This one is about the death penalty.

And kindness.

And praying for our enemies.

My prosecutor mentor and I had a discussion on the ethics and legitimacy of the death penalty. In his home state of Minnesota, it is no longer in play. I, on the other hand, served in a jurisdiction with the third highest death row in the country – behind the City of Angels and the home of the Astros.

My mentor’s objections were that it is often applied indiscriminately and doesn’t allow for the rehabilitation of a person, no matter how slim it may be. He then asked me what I thought.

I replied that prior to meeting him and being exposed to criminal work, I thought I’d be full blown Punisher or Judge Dredd, but while I do not oppose it on philosophical or moral grounds, I decidedly became more ambivalent on the practice. The statistics on how it is applied on racial and economic grounds is up for grabs in my opinion and so as its effectiveness as a deterrent. For me, it is about mercy.

I often reference my kids intelligence, in more ways than once. That’s great and all but not where it’s at. I met many highly intelligent people who were not good people. They caused a lot of damage.

I have realized that mine need to learn compassion and empathy. I experienced so little mercy in my life but I wan them to understand that one.

Recently, I told them that those who do not extend mercy will receive little to none when their turn arrives. My mentor said it’s more than that – it’s about becoming a better person – a concept that feels completely outdated in this world.

It also made me think about the idea of praying for enemies. For me, the prayer here is simple, that they will be better people so they wouldn’t hurt others. This doesn’t mean forswearing justice or God’s vengeance – these concepts aren’t mutually exclusive and can co-exist. I still believe in planning baptisms.

The last inmate that Pennsylvania executed was decades ago and it was only because he dropped all his appeals.

When I observed my children, I can see them going both ways – developing genuine kindness but also having a mean streak. On more reflection, maybe that combination isn’t so bad. May even be healthy if not in a way holy.