Boston bomber deserves death penalty? #tellusatoday

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was convicted last week of 30 federal counts in the Boston Marathon bombing. Tsarnaev, 21, faces execution or life in prison without parole. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Don't give Dzhokhar Tsarnaev the death penalty. I say this not because I am against the death penalty, but in this case, it would be giving him exactly what he wants: martyrdom, just like his big brother.

— Sandy Cullen

I am not generally in favor of the death penalty, but one has to consider that this guy could live 50 years more or longer, and we have to pay the bill to keep him alive. That is not cheap by any means.

— Richard R Shapiro

If anyone who lost a loved one wants Tsarnaev dead, then he should die. Terrorists are trying to kill us. The benefit of a little closure, and even vengeance, for victims' family members outweighs any increased threat that might come our way if Tsarnaev is executed.

— Christos Gerasopoulos

I live in Massachusetts and don't agree with the death penalty. What does it solve? It doesn't bring anyone back.

— Amanda Famiglietti

This is a very simple decision. If you believe in the death penalty, then he should be sentenced to death. If you are against the death penalty, then you support life in prison without parole. The only question is whether you believe in death as a form of punishment.

I have no problem with a sentence of death. The problem I have in these cases is when it is apparent that the person is guilty of a crime, but the jury lets the defendant go free. That was never the case, thank goodness, in this trial.

— Michael Mangers

Of course he should be executed. If you live by the sword, be ready to die by the sword.

— Tom Roberts Sr.

This case should have been tried in a military tribunal as an act of war. Political correctness makes our enemies bolder and more dangerous. Execute him and all who follow in his path.

— Todd Phillips

We asked our Twitter followers whether Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, found guilty of 30 federal counts, should be sentenced to death. Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

Death. It's not worth it to pay for his life imprisonment.

— @TexasColoradan

Life in prison. Killing people does not discourage the killing of people.

— @GlennHarrisRytr

He and his brother systematically plotted to kill American people. I see no reason to pay for him to live.

— @ukwildcatfan194

He should be sentenced to death as quickly as possible. No delays.

— @KenMichaels25

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday on Twitter.