I agree - to a point. But only if the following conditions are met:
1. the murder was not premeditated
2. no prior history of violence or criminal behavior
Otherwise.. after 2 appeals or two years, whichever comes first, death. I don't agree death is not punishment. Nobody wants to die.
I also believe that we should have prisons and we should also lockups for the criminally insane. Separate facilities. Violent offenders, sexual perverts, pedophiles, basically the full range of psychopaths and child molesters get an isolated cell the size of a closet and no contact with other prisoners. Forever. No chance of ever getting out.