[Firestormalpha]

From the perspective of what's humane, if you're only options are a swift death vs. surgically induced paralysis, then death is the way to go.

Of course, I've always said one sure way to reduce crime dramatically is to invoke the death penalty for any felony level offense, to be imposed no longer than a month after sentencing. But this creates a rule by terror system that the greater majority (if not all) of humanity wouldn't like very much.

Alternately, I had a teacher who once said the easiest way to eliminate crime was to make everything legal. On a technical basis, this does eliminate crime, but then you'd be left with utter chaos.

As for making him the other mans servant/nurse-maid. Technically its a form of slavery, but it is a creative and appropriate punishment. The difficult part being, you'd be putting the man who nearly killed the victim in charge of the victim's well being. Even with guards watching him the whole time he could find an opportunity to finish the job.