Death Penalty

In the Old Testament I recall some of the teachings that involved around the saying an "eye for an eye" but most Christian practices are formed from New Testament scirptures and the teachings of Jesus. Because the bible says an "eye for an eye" some Christians may think that should also be applied to for distribution in punishment. Those who disagree with Sister Helen Prejean might be advocates for the ideal of a punishment where its based on equality. Now the scriptural passage that says that in Jesus's teachings he says "not to return hate for hate and evil for evil" does prohibit the usage of the death penalty. If we are to not return the doings of hate against our fellow man, then that simply means we shouldnt be allowed to kill another man because of his wrong doings no matter the reason or rhyme. Because the bible also taught an "eye for an eye" Therefore a killing a murder would be a just punishment, in the eyes of the Old Testament.