Gentlemen, Your Verdict

Who really has the right to decide who lives and who dies? In the story “Gentlemen Your Verdict” written by Michael Bruce, Commander Oram takes the on the task of choosing the fate of the lives of the all the men on the ship he commands. He eventually chooses who lives and who doesn’t, sending fifteen men to their death while saving 5 other men. Is murder ever excusable though?
Some would agree that the captain was heroic in his actions because he was able to save the lives of 5 men. Others could argue that murdered 15 men and regardless of the outcome, no one should have the right to choose who lives and dies...