
Oh i can tell you! Its because fetuses are not living people. Not before a certain period of time. Criminals, however evil, are. They are CURRENTLY capable of thoughts feelings and actions. They can feel pain which the fetus cannot until nearly 25 weeks. You cannot compare the death of a real currently living human being, to a potential one.
Theres also a whole debate i can go into about the ethics and morals of the death penalty, and why most people become criminals in the first place (its because FOR THE MOST PART, people are given little to no other choice or are forced into these kinds of situations) but that isnt what OP or you asked about.
You’re correct, criminals are capable of thoughts and actions which they consciously choose wrong and therefore should be punished accordingly. Children in the womb (living cells forming a child) are not yet capable of this and are therefore innocent. Bring back the death penalty and stop killing babies and we can right this country real real fast.