In response to the Feb. 6 editorial on abolishing capitol punishment: Victims suffer for crimes committed against them for the remainder of their lives. They think about it, have nightmares about it, make their decisions based on the chance that it could happen again.

So why shouldn't the criminals spend the rest of their lives paying for the crimes they commit? The problem then becomes, who should pay for it? If someone killed your significant other, would you want to support that person financially?

Well, if capital punishment is abolished in New Hampshire, you will pay for it. Just imagine, you shared 25 years with the love of your life and a stranger killed him or her. The criminal is convicted, but we have no death penalty. So, now you have to pay to support the person who killed you wife or husband.

To me, justice is knowing that, when someone commits a horrible crime, he or she pays for it. They don't just sit around content and happy with a full belly watching TV and taking college courses.

MEL CURRY

Franklin