How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"We got that information from our own resources, not from the police," Elizabeth says. "They never called us. We called them." (6.119)
Elizabeth explains that she and her husband didn't find out that their daughter's body had been found from the police: friends had to tell them. Um, what? Basically, the authorities don't really seem to care much about the victim's family; justice somehow doesn't have anything to do with the bereaved. If that seems wrong, think about how television cop shows or superhero shows handle justice: it's all about tracking down that villainous Lex Luthor, not about comforting whoever gets caught in the super-crossfire. People would rather punish than comfort.
Quote #8
In an ideal world, there would be no need for retribution. But in real societies, punishing the guilty is as integral to the function of law as exonerating the innocent and preventing crime. (7.6)
Prejean, as a Christian, ideally wants no revenge. Still, she argues that society requires some kind of punishment of the guilty in order to function. Revenge is needed, even though it isn't exactly Christian. You could see Prejean as compromising her Christian values, or as thoughtfully adapting them. Either way, though, she seems to suggest that Christians ideally shouldn't seek retribution or revenge—which seems like a pretty hard standard to live up to.
Quote #9
"I would just like to say, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey, that I hope you get some relief from my death. Killing people is wrong. That's why you've put me to death. It makes no difference whether it's citizens, countries, or governments. Killing is wrong." (9.379)
Robert first accepts guilt for his crime, then makes a statement about justice: "Killing is wrong." This wouldn't be very effective if he just said, "Killing me is wrong." It's because he accepts the general law as applying to him, too, that his words have weight. That's how justice works: if it doesn't apply to all, it's not justice.