Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 all sentences of death were to be commuted to sentences of life imprisonment. The legislation contained a sunset clause, which stated that the Act would expire on 31 July 1970 "unless Parliament by affirmative resolutions of both Houses otherwise determines". This was done in 1969 and the Act was made permanent. The Act left four capital offences: high treason, "piracy with violence" (piracy with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm), arson in royal dockyards and espionage, as well as other capital offences under military law. The death penalty was not finally abolished in the United Kingdom until 1998
Death penalty in the Bible Rashi says that there must be two witnesses of a murder for a murderer to receive the death penalty, because murder destroys the image of God. Certain sins are punishable by death in the Torah, including idolatry, taking God's name in vain, violation of the Sabbath, rebellion against parents, murder, and adultery. In 1 Kings 18:40, Elijah kills the prophets of Baal. The Talmud explains that, while Elijah himself deserved death for offering sacrifice on a mountain, the mitzvot Elijah had contravened was abrogated. John 8:3-11 records a woman caught in adultery being brought to Jesus for judgment. Jesus does