Maj. Nidal Hasan has been convicted of the Fort Hood shootings and sentenced to death. This sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment.
Maj. Hasan did not attempt to defend himself at his trial. He clearly wishes to die as a martyr for the Islamists. This could inspire more people to join the terrorist cause, perhaps leading to more American deaths. Commuting his sentence will show that America is a merciful country and may be a step toward the understanding necessary to end the threat of war.
Furthermore, the death penalty is not acceptable in the US today. We have more humane ways of dealing with criminals, ones that respect the dignity of human life and aim at rehabilitation. Life in prison is penalty enough for Maj. Hasan, who is already partially paralyzed. We plead for mercy.