What is with these killers getting their death sentences commuted to life in prison because of their mentality...low IQ etc?..They sure as heck didn't have any problem killing their victims.. Excuse me, but I think Governor Kaine should give some SERIOUS re-thinking in regards to this 'mentality thing', and having a LOW mentality should not change a death sentence. I think it is a heck of a lot easier to pretend you are a low IQ case, than it is to prove you are SMART

[Rebuttal to previous pro-execution comments] How much does it cost the state for all the mandatory appeals and other legal processes that go along with exacting the death penalty?

So if you willingly don't go to school (which is a self inflicted low IQ) you can commit murder? That particular law was intended for people who were born with a mental deficiency not some low life scum who ditched school and then pretends not to have any bloodflow through his cerebrum.

If someone hits you on the cheek, offer the other. These words from Jesus don't jibe with the words of supposedly Christian folks who want executions at all costs. Even if the person being executed doesn't understand what is happening. Governor Kaine is doing the right thing.

I'm amazed at the death penalty proponents who look at the cost of jailing vs death. They want to play God...

Ditto the last comment

I'd like to see the Pilot or some other resource-rich entity do a cost analysis as to how much Walton's "life-without-parole" luxury living accomodations will cost the Virginia taxpayers, from the date of execution through the end of his natural life expectancy.
This cost analysis should be done each time a death-deserving inmate's execution date approaches.
Then, in the event the Governor commutes the slimeball's sentence, the total amount of living expenses (housing, food, entertainment, clothing, medical care, babysitting, etc.) should be deducted from the Governor's paycheck and placed into an interest-earning escrow account to cover the future costs.