Let him and his mates rape and then kill your family members, then tell me what you think.
Well of course his opinion would differ in that circumstance, but that is why we don't allow the family of victims any influence over the verdict of such cases, aside from the obvious role of the witness.
I do, however, think it was harsh of him to call you a moron for having an view (pro death penalty) that is common across the populous. I understand why people have that view (well,
partially at least), but do not think that the death penalty is right myself. Even if the man deserves to die, I don't think that any one person (or Government) should have the right to kill him.