It becomes clear why every so often a surprisingly old man is executed. In a world where information is even more imperfect than usual, reputation has an inertial force and may be difficult to shake off. Thus, people in a hurry choose this means of informing dilatory customers that their old supplier is no longer reliable, if for no other reason than that he is dead.

QUESTION: What specific historical context is this describing? Which society or time period formalized execution as a way to signal a supplier's unreliability?

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 165