We understand that Edward Snowden broke the law and that it's the Justice Department's duty to prosecute him. We don't expect him to be pardoned, and if he is tried we do not expect him to be acquitted based on the evidence.
We also, however, been dismayed and shocked at the downright creepy lengths the administration has gone to in order to capture him. Why, exactly, is Edward Snowden such a high value suspect that it's necessary to stop a foreign head of state's airplane? Why is this causing a diplomatic row with Russia? All of this just to make an example out of an idealistic whistle blower?
Now that Edward Snowden has been granted asylum in Russia, we have no faith the Obama administration will accept that outcome. Do not assassinate Edward Snowden.