Khairi Coleman released as suspect in 2-year-old's house fire death

• Let's just remember that although the loss of a child is perhaps the most horrific thing in life, Mr. Coleman hasn't been charged with anything, nor have they actually confirmed that this fire was the result of arson. Let's withhold judgment until the facts have been sorted out.

• Kirk- I don't think there should be a death penalty. 1. Every major study shows that death penalty has no deterrant effect on homicide. 2. Death penalty costs more than life in prison. The cases cost far more to adjudicate. 3. The risk of killing an innocent person is to high (see numerous cases of death row inmates in Illinois and other states being cleared by DNA evidence.) 4. On a personal note, my father was murdered during a robbery in Houston in 1988. I witnessed the execution of the slimeball who killed my father--a bread truck driver who happened to be in a 7-11 at the wrong time; it remains the most horrific thing I have witnessed. It turned me from someone apathetic about crime issues into an opponent of the death penalty--so please don't lecture me about bringing comfort to the victims. (A study by a UTEP professor showed that families of homicide victims who witness executions tend to become overwhelmingly opposed to the death penalty. I am a 20+ year armed forces (well, Coast Guard...) veteran and the last thing anyone could call me is liberal. I just hate people who think that if you oppose the death penalty you're automatically a liberal.

• Does anyone out there feel there shouldn't be a death penalty in Minnesota for people like this?

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