But subject to death at the hands of an avenger?
Some things are hard to understand. I guess that's why people like Tom try to explain these more difficult passages in ways other than what the plain words say.
The laws of "kinsmen" were rather strong in Bible times.
This included laws like the "redeeming" of a kinsman's lands or even his person from slavery.
But it also included executing judgment against someone who sinned against one's kinsman.
It was the eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, life for a life rule. The punishment was not to exceed the crime.
But I can understand the questioning --
One wonders how many "avengers" after they put the murderer to death, then had to flee to a city of refuge because a kinsman of the murderer now sought to avenge the death of the murderer.
The avenge system was very much a part of the culture back then and fueds often continued for generations -- and the punishment usually far exceeded the crime. God's cities of refuge were a provision to bring a level of fairness into that system. God's directions was that the punishment was NOT to exceed the crime.