[If] a murderer[‹s identity] was lost in a group, they are all exempt. R’ Yehudah says: We place them in a cell. Any [time] peo-ple sentenced to execution become confused with one another, they are subjected to the most lenient [one]. [If] those sen-tenced to be stoned [became confused] with those sentenced to be burned —- R’ Shimon says: They are [all] executed by stoning, as burning is more severe. But the Sages say: They are executed by burning, as stoning is more severe. Said R’ Shimon to them: If burning were not more severe, it would not have been meted out to the daughter of a Kohen who commits adultery. They said to him: If stoning were not more severe, it would not have been meted out to the blasphemer and idolater. [If] those to be beheaded [became confused] with those to be strangled —- R’ Shimon says: [They are executed] by beheading. But the Sages say: By strangulation.

One who became liable to two forms of execution is subjected to the more severe [form]. [If] he committed a transgression which was punishable by two [forms] of execution, he is subjected to the more severe [one]. R’ Yose says: He is subjected to the one by which he was first enjoined.