Death Row

So, in Houston, we have a horrible problem with the DNA crime lab, what with mislabeled evidence, corrupted evidence/samples, and all kinds of other missteps. Someone (I can't recall from the news I just saw) has called for a moratorium on all death row executions until the evidence is re-tested. At least two people in the past two months have had their convictions overturned, one of whom will be released in the next few days. The D.A. intends to retry the case against the man because the rape victim is sure it was him, even though the DNA sample proves the man didn't do it. The D.A.'s reason aside from the "eyewitness" identification? Just because there have been mistakes made doesn't mean a mistake was made in this case. Maybe I'm missing something here, but they proved a mistake was made and that the guy should not have been convicted.

As a supporter of capital punishment, I fully endorse the moratorium on the executions in these cases. If there be any question as to the validity of the evidence used to convict someone, what harm is there in verifying the results and delaying the execution? None that I can think of. Closure cannot be a reason, as it's been so many years for the victim's and their families, a few more weeks or months cannot matter. Expediency of doing justice is an extremely lame excuse, as, with the numerous appeals and attempts to change the outcomes, years go by from initial sentencing to carrying out the sentence. Again, what harm can there be in waiting?

If you are truly interested in seeing justice done, I cannot see any reason why holding off on executions in these cases is a problem. Isn't it far better to prove "yea" or "nay" than to make everyone wonder and call into question your motives for wanting to press forward with the execution if there is a chance the convicted person is actually innocent? I know that "everyone" is innocent in prison, and most are truly not innocent despite their protestations to the contrary. This is serious business, the taking of one's life. How can we be flippant in denying them a chance to prove their innocence, especially in these cases?