I am against the death penalty, and I work for an organization that advocates for humane treatment of incarcerated people. But the following case is a serious test of my willpower on both counts.

Angel Reyes was in court this week in nearby Delaware County to try to get his death sentence revoked. Reyes killed his toddler daughter, Marcia, after a fight with her mother. He was so pissed off, he grabbed Marcia, took her to a bridge and tossed her into Ridley Creek below. He knew she couldn't swim, and he knew she would die. After he dropped her in he came home, triumphant.

He was given the death sentence in 1994, and that penalty was upheld through years of legal wrangling. But his lawyers argued that if a jury was able to hear about Reyes' tragic childhood, they might reconsider. From the Delaware County Daily Times:

Reyes grew up in an impoverished home in Puerto Rico under the fist of an abusive father, who would beat his children with anything handy -- a bar, a rod, or his bare hands. They would be deprived of food for days as punishment. That led the adult Reyes, according to a defense psychiatrist, to be unable to control his anger and explained his sadistic behavior on the Fourth Street Bridge.

This latest court appearance was the first time Reyes expressed remorse for a crime he never denied committing. He told the jury he's found God, but they reaffirmed his death sentence anyway.

I appreciate the depth of Reyes' childhood trauma and don't argue that he's a damaged soul. The psychiatrist made the best case he could. But I can't say I feel that history mitigates his crime. I don't see the point of state-sponsored murder, but ...

What do you guys think?

[Photograph by StormyinGA]