Exiling an Inadvertent Murderer to a City of Refuge
"And he shall live there until the death of the high priest"—Numbers 35:25.
The courts are commanded to exile a person guilty of manslaughter to a city of refuge. The killer must remain there [until the death of the serving high priest]: "There he must dwell, there he shall die, there he shall be buried."
Accepting a Ransom from an Inadvertent Murderer
"You shall take no ransom from one who must flee to his city of refuge"—Numbers 35:32.
It is forbidden to take a monetary payment from a person guilty of manslaughter to exempt him from exile in a city of refuge.
Executing a Criminal before he Stands Trial
"The murderer shall not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment"—Numbers 35:12.
It is forbidden to execute a criminal guilty of committing a capital crime before he receives due process before a rabbinical court. (This prohibition applies after the crime was committed. With regard to a criminal in the process of executing a crime, see Negative Commandment 293.)
Even if the members of the High Court witness the execution of a capital offense, they must serve as witnesses (before another panel of judges) who will adjudicate the case.
Note About Varying Customs
In some editions of the Sefer Hamitzvot Schedule, today's Sefer Hamitzvot (Day 259) has Negative Mitzvah 295 listed instead of Negative Mitzvah 296 (and Day 258 has Negative Mitzvah 296 instead of 295).
