Let me re-phrase that. I wasn't suggesting that victims families decide the sentence by any means.

Currently, the decision to seek the death penalty is determined by a prosecuter regardless of what anyone else thinks, then its the decision of a judge to allow it to be sought.

It is that step in the process I feel the victims family should have a say. If they do not want the death enalty sought, then the prosecution should not be alowed to seek it, alternately if they feel justice warrants said penatly, the the prosecution should be allowed to proceed.

This changes very little other than respect the wishes of the family and provide weight to the ultimate decision to seek the death penalty.

This does not determine the sentence, that is still up to the judge and jury, it just removes the option in sentencing if the victims family feel strongly about not allowing the penalty to be sought.

Currently, families may be consulted regarding this decision, but it is ultimately the prosecutor makes the decision.

If I had to vote on it in a binary manner, I would have to side with allowing the penalty to continue. I would prefer it to continue with some reforms to the system.

Overall however, the US has a very low execution rate compared to other countries. It's #8 in executions while being #4 in populus. In 2019, the US executed 22 people, China executed over 1000, Iran 251+, Suadi Arabia, 184, Iraq over 100.

In the grand sceme of things, we have far bigger issues that kill far more Americans each year than the death penalty, like cheeseburgers, automobiles, health care, poverty, etc... however, this is not to say it's not an important issue by any means.