One point about this story, maybe not directly on this line of discussion. I find it despicable how people on social media are heralding him as a hero who should rest in peace and that the governor is the real murderer. Get a grip, people. You may be opposed to this death penalty, but this guy orchestrated the shooting of police officers. He's a rotten murder-wannabee. Maybe he didn't deserve to die - but he sure aint no saint.
Now my personal opinion - pulling the trigger shouldn't be the determining factor in a death penalty, so in this case, it could be upheld. But, our justice department is too fractured to support a death penalty as is. The penalty should remain, but more safeguards should be inserted into the system.