@aidan,
As one who considers cap punishment to be reserved for "special treatment", I think that Muhammed and MAlvo have met my test ofr aqdmittance into the program.
Malvo and Muhammed had created sort of a "Battlement" in the trunk of their car. so that, with the back seat lowered, a snioer could crawl into the trunk and shoot their rifle out of a "porthole" cut out of the car body and just above the licenese plate. This gave Malvo (the usual shooter) the opportunity to shoot anyone in his limited line of sight.
This was a horribly prememditated series of crimes that everyone in law enforcement felt, would end in a violent take down.
The tip that led to the perps capture had initiated a huge SWAT response that involved about 15 officers heavily armed and involved in a surrounds movement . These cops , loaded for bear, were in a perimeter that was manned by up to 100 other officers who were not gonna let a cockrpoach out of the truck stop prking lot in which Malvo and Muhammed were sleeping (as it turned out). The fact that Dave wanted them shot like dogs, was not played oput becuase the criminals were snuck up on, overwhelemd by a violent breakin with about 9 cops and FBI members of SWAT. The perps peacably surrendered, and were taken into custody without any further incidence.
The cops were ready to deal out lethal force, they just didnt need it. HAd they just opened fire on the sleeping perps would have been a dishonor to their victims.
As it turned out, Muhammed was given a ride on "ole sparky" (A Stephen King metaphor), and Malvo is in the general population for life. The sheriffs office reps stated that <MAlvo had a look of evil all about him and its good that he be dealt with by forever incarceration. I dont know whether he was influenced by Muhammed as his mntor or was living a fantasy , either way he wont be a further danger to us.
IN disagreement with Dave, this entire event is one where I dont believe that any armed citizen could have intervened. The snipers were under cover and shooting from a makeshift camo "tank". people had no idea where the fire was coming from and all they could do to react was get down. ANyone in the limited line of fire could have been hit without knowing from where it came. Youd die with your gun in your hand.