A cruel, unusual debate over capital punishment

Re “State Halts Execution to Review Procedure,” Feb. 22 The San Quentin State Prison warden wants to make sure that killer and rapist Michael Morales will feel no pain at his execution. Did

the young woman he choked, beat with a hammer, raped and stabbed in the heart feel no pain? Am I the only one who thinks there is something wrong here? DON WAGNER _Santa Monica_ * For those

of us unsure of the merits of the death penalty, the indefinite postponement of Morales’ execution is encouraging. However, my question is, where was all of this medical moral outrage during

the execution of Stanley Tookie Williams? VINCE JORDAN _Los Angeles_ _*_ In light of concerns about the pain supposedly suffered by the condemned when executed by lethal injection, it is

time for the state to offer at least three methods of execution -- lethal injection, firing squad or hanging. Let the condemned choose the means, and then let us get on with it. I see no

value in prolonging the life of a convicted rapist and killer. CARLOS F. CUYUGAN _Lake Forest_ _*_ An execution has been halted because doctors don’t want to be involved with taking a life.

I just wonder how that squares with late-term abortion, “do not resuscitate” orders, not continuing treatment when a patient doesn’t have insurance or attempts to have doctor-assisted

suicide legalized. These situations make it hard to believe the doctors’ claims that they are taking the high road in this matter. Perhaps the state should hire Dr. Jack Kevorkian to assist

in this matter. BARRY LEVY _Redondo Beach_ MORE TO READ