Couey gets death sentence

John Evander Couey has been sentenced to death for the 2005 murder of Jessica Lunsford. From CNN.com:

Jessica was snatched from her bed in her family's Homosassa, Florida, home. Her body was found three weeks later, buried at the home of Couey's half-sister, within sight of Jessica's home.

Couey was convicted in March of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual battery on a child under 12.

Jessica's slaying sparked national outrage and led to stricter Florida laws regarding registration and supervision of released sexual predators, following a push led largely by the girl's father, Mark Lunsford.

Lunsford has said a federal law tightening sex offender registration and other matters related to sexual abuse of children did not go far enough.

"We need bills that will produce money for these other bills that we have already passed, so U.S. marshals, FBI, local law enforcement, prosecutors can get the tools that they need to get more prosecutions and put these guys away longer, so we are not doing murder trials," Lunsford told CNN's "Larry King Live" earlier this year.

Jessica was discovered missing from her home, where she lived with her father and grandparents, on February 24, 2005. Couey later confessed to abducting her from her bedroom the previous night.

However, a judge threw out Couey's confession, saying it was inadmissible in court because he asked for a lawyer and was not provided one.

His trial was moved to Miami after a judge ruled it would be impossible to find an impartial jury in Citrus County.

This was the right decision. Why do I support the death penalty? Because there are some people who need to be removed from society--permanently. And for Biblical proof--

• Leviticus 24:17--"'If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death."


• Romans 13:1-4--"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil."
  

In other words, we are to abide by the laws of the land, a principle echoed by the apostle Peter (1st Peter 2:13). For these authorities are established by GOD Himself.

Now, you may say, "Then you should leave Roe v. Wade alone." Not necessarily. 1st Timothy 2:1-2--"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." We should pray that our leaders find the strength to govern this country the way GOD would have them to. But if they don't, then we are to still obey them and give their office respect.