Colorado shooter to face 24 counts of first-degree murder, 116 counts of attempted murder
What problem do you have with the victims and their family dealing out the punishment?
Haven't I offered those reasons already?
And it's not just sentencing, at this point. You made references to Casey Anthony and OJ Simpson, which seems to introduce the verdict phase, as well.
If it really isn't already clear, I have a problem with the idea of people who are directly involved and emotionally invested in a crime being left to decide the fate of the accused. That change would completely undermine the core foundation of our legal system, which is based upon the due process you say you agree with. Do you really think outcomes (either verdicts or sentencing) are likely to be more fair with grieving or traumatized people making those decisions? It doesn't make sense to point out the flaws with juries, then suggest the fix to that is turn it over to revenge-seeking family members.
I have inquired as to how you would select the family members and the process by which they would reach their decision, especially in a crime like this one that involves so many people.
I also have raised the consideration that some victims or their relatives would not want the burden of making that decision, and shouldn't have the guilt of that decision weighing on them if they aren't willing. And it isn't equitable to have a system where we give victims and relatives the option and divert back to a jury if they decline because we can't have a system that tries and/or sentences people in that radically different of a way.