When is death penalty a deterrent?

Relevant news articles: Girl marries lover, father kills her

I was shocked when I read this. Though what I should be even more shocked about, is the fact that such news articles still shock me.

My first post was about honor killing. But as it turns out, this had nothing to do with caste, creed or religion. The boy was of the same caste, but he just wasn't impressive enough to the parents. (Well to the dad at least. The mother reported the crime.)

We all wanted to give the death sentence to Kasab, and he rightfully deserved it. But I feel that we are missing the point of the death penalty.

The reasons mentioned for the death penalty include "it will act as a deterrent for further crimes of this nature" -AND- "the crime falls under the category: rarest of the rare. Is it just me, or can everyone notice the obvious contradiction in the two reasons??

A crime of the nature "rarest of rare" is not gonna happen on a daily basis. Giving a death penalty to a terrorist while thinking it will be a "deterrent" is stupid. Kasab and his 9 accomplices came to India to kill as many as possible, all the while knowing full well that they aren't going to survive. He came here expecting death, but instead has been on an 18 month(and counting) vacation so far.

The death penalty should not be limited to only the "rarest of the rare." It should be allowed to be given to anyone who has killed another human being with the intent of killing. This is when it will serve its purpose of being a deterrent.

The father claimed that the girl was "too adamant" and thats why he killed her. By killing her hasn't he proved to be more adamant than her?? She was his daughter after all. He should've expected that and learned to live with that. Its his daughter's life and therefore she has a right to choose who she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

The girl's father, brother and her cousins "hacked her to death." I highly recommend a death sentence for the father and brother, and a life term for the cousins. Reasons: it is a common crime which needs to become rarest of the rare, it will serve as a deterrent, it is such narrow mindedness and orthodox behavior is what is holding India back from progressing and thus it will also be a wake up call for people to move on with the times. Stop holding on to your "reeti, rewaaz and parampara." The next generation has come, and its time you adapt!!