Give Dylann Roof chance to repent

Dylann Roof shot nine people to death during a Bible study.

At his first bond hearing, several of the victims’ family members told Mr. Roof that they forgive him. On the same day, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley urged her state’s prosecutors to seek the death penalty.

Juxtaposed with the amazing grace extended by the stricken families, the governor’s statement sounded petty and banal. We Americans tend to think that executing a convicted murderer shows that we highly value the lives of the killer’s victims; in reality, it does no such thing.

The death penalty simply proclaims to all that if we’re hurt and angry enough about being wronged, then it’s OK to take a life. By executing Mr. Roof, we let him convert us to his view that some human lives are expendable.

I propose we demonstrate life’s sanctity by giving the perpetrator the chance — behind bars — to repent and seek redemption.

A true recognition of life’s infinite worth was vividly demonstrated by Bethane Middleton Brown, whose sister was killed by Mr. Roof. Speaking of her sister, she told him, “She taught me that we are the family that love built. We have no room for hating; so we have to forgive.”

This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 9:50 AM with the headline "Give Dylann Roof chance to repent."