The Death Penalty: Injustice For Laken Riley

Earlier this year, 22-year-old, Laken Riley, was jogging on a college campus in Georgia where she was brutally murdered by illegal immigrant, Jose Ibarra. It is a story that the country has become far too familiar with over the last several months and culminating in the guilty verdict and sentencing to life in prison today in a Georgia Courtroom.

But the death penalty was not on the table for the District Attorney’s office. This is leaving many to feel as though justice had not been served. And, I would argue, that they are right. There was no justice served today in the case of the Murder of Laken Riley.

In recent years, the death penalty has become controversial in the United States. According to Gallup, in 1994, 80% of Americans supported the death penalty. However, that number has dwindled to just 55% as of 2022. But how should Christians view the death penalty? Is this something that we should be in favor of, or is it something that we should oppose?

It is important to remember that God instituted the death penalty in Genesis 9:6.

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
– Genesis 9:6 ESV

Human beings are sacred because of our special role as image bearers. The sanctity of human life is a core belief for Christians. God views humanity as the pinnacle of His creation. Because of this, we must hold a high view of human life. And Genesis makes it clear, whoever takes a life, his life must be taken.

This is not a law that was for Israel only. This was given to Noah as humanity “reset” after the flood. It is a clear command and one that was never rescinded or modified by the New Testament. It is clear, if you take the life of an innocent human being, your life is to be taken from you.

Now, we should be clear, there should be undeniable proof before someone is put to death. The last thing that we want is for an innocent man to be wrongly put to death for a crime that he did not commit. And, sadly, that has happened before.

But in cases such as Jose Ibarra, the death penalty not only should have been considered, it should have been mandated because that is what God requires. This should not be controversial for Christians. It is clear cut.

Unfortunately, there are people in charge who do not have a biblical worldview. And, because of this, rather than being justly put to death, Jose Ibarra will sit in a jail cell for the rest of his life with free food, free healthcare, and free shelter. Yes, it is prison, but it is not death.

So while a dangerous criminal is off the streets, justice was not served today. Not real justice. Laken is still gone. Thankfully, it seems as though she was a believer in Christ. If that was the case, she is with her Savior today and those of us in Christ will meet her one day. But Jose Ibarra still has the breath of life. And every day that continues, justice is not served.