Ahhh. I had thought people were protesting it solely because it was an innocent elf getting executed for a crime he didn't commit, who kept maintaining his innocence right up until the last moment (great image, by the way). But yeah, its barbarism as a form of execution would also definitely upset people (myself included). Nice job! The overlapping elements of "highly advanced society" and "cruel, brutal punishment" create a very distinctive world-sense.
I wonder why the Banshee wasn't hanged. And I really look forward to an eventual meeting/reunion with her daughter. I get goosebumps when I imagine that first: "Hi, Mom."