Can the state pardon someone who committed a crime worthy of the death penalty?
Given a Catholic state who rules based on the Church's teachings, is it possible that a person be pardoned of their crime(s) and their name and reputation be restored after having committed a crime worthy of the DP?
It's my opinion that this is possible for the following reasons:
1) King David's adultery with Bathsheba, and near murder of her husband. This was not punished by death.
2) 1 Corinthians 6. Paul notes that some of those who were converting had committed crimes worthy of the death penalty beforehand, but were now JUSTIFIED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (per douay Rheims 1899).
3) John 7. Christ pardons the adulteress.
I am leaning towards that those who repent and believe can be pardoned because they are justified by our Lord.
I bring this up because I sense that some on this site think I should be/have been put to death for past crimes.