Moroni had been given the power to put to death traitors to the Nephite government. This right of law was continued in some form in the governing body even after the person of Moroni was no longer on the scene. It is under this power that Paanchi is tried. He is just as traitorous as those who had captured Zarahemla when Moroni had to join with Pahoran to rout them from that city. He is tried, and he is convicted. As a convicted traitor, his sentence was death.