There are no checks and balances on the power of prosecutors, and few jurisdictions provide remotely similar resources to the defense that the state has. Thus, unless the defendant is wealthy, he is virtually at the mercy of the state. Had the Duke rape defendants not been able to spend several million dollars in exposing the evil misdeeds of D.A. Mike Nifong, they might be in prison right now.

Too many prosecutors are political animals whose primary motivations are the next election and the pursuit of higher office. Hell, they unabashedly campaign on their conviction rates--as you point out, the "notches" on their guns. Pursuit of the truth is the casualty. Coercion of false testimony and nondisclosure of exculpatory evidence are the tools of the trade.

The state cannot be trusted with the death penalty.

Unchecked governmental power is evil.