Capital Punishment
Capital Punishment is a profoundly complex and controversial aspect of the criminal justice system. This section provides articles that explore the history, legal frameworks, and ethical debates surrounding Capital Punishment in various jurisdictions. Correctional professionals can gain insights into the procedures, implications, and ongoing discussions about using the death penalty. Understanding Capital Punishment is crucial for those involved in its administration and those engaged in broader criminal justice reform efforts. For further context, explore related topics on supermax prisons.
The inmate alleges it would be unconstitutionally cruel for him to die by lethal injection
Pittsburg County District Judge Tim Mills wrote that psychologists found that Wade Greely Lay, 63, lacks a “rational understanding” of why he is to be executed
The moves are part of the state’s attempts to comply with Prop 66, which aims to speed up executions and mandate work and restitution for death row inmates
The bill is based on Texas procedures and will require inmates to raise claims, such as ineffective counsel, at the same time as appeals over alleged trial errors
Rep. Steve Pylant argued that although he firmly supported the death penalty, delays in carrying out executions had made it too expensive
Defense lawyer Larry Krasner says he will immediately stop seeking the death penalty if elected and will prioritize education, drug treatment and job training
The bill would require inmates to raise claims such as ineffective counsel at the same time as appeals claiming trial errors
J.W. Ledford was convicted of murder in the January 1992 stabbing death of Dr. Harry Johnston
Judge J.R. Gaines said “any release of the execution logs would be detrimental to the best interests of the public”
J.W. Ledford’s lawyers have suggested using a firing squad instead, but that’s not allowed under Georgia law
The ruling noted that there was no physical evidence to tie Ralph Wright to the killings of his ex-girlfriend and their 15-month-old son
J.W. Ledford Jr.'s lawyers say there’s a substantial risk he’ll experience great pain as the drug attacks his respiratory system due to treatment with the drug gabapentin
Anthony Boyd cannot be put to death by alternative methods since lethal injection and electrocution are Alabama’s only approved execution methods
The legislation would require inmates to raise claims of ineffective counsel and the same time as the inmate’s direct appeal claiming trial errors
Judge Truman Hobbs dismissed Tommy Arthur’s lawsuit claiming Alabama improperly lets the Department of Corrections determine the lethal injection protocol
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Sammantha Lucille Rebecca Allen and her husband John Michael Allen
Preston Strong was convicted in the killings of his best friend, the man’s girlfriend and her four young children
Judge Wendell Griffen said that the demonstration didn’t violate any judicial rules and was constitutionally protected
Representatives of the law enforcement community have voiced overwhelming support for the measure
The court said executing Pedro Solis Sosa would carry “an unacceptable risk” that his punishment would be unconstitutionally cruel because of his intellectual disabilities
Under a proposed bill, jurors would have to find unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant should be executed
The AG’s office has said it will not request any execution dates until at least 150 days after the new protocols are released
Jack Greene wanted hearings on grounds that lower courts too often reject appeals, that he is not mentally competent and that his lawyer was bad
The court is hearing Ohio’s appeal of a federal judge’s order finding the state’s latest execution process unconstitutional
Arkansas is facing a lawsuit from drug distributor McKesson Corp., which wants the state to return its remaining supply of vecuronium bromide
Ohio plans to use a massive dose of 500 milligrams of midazolam, which attorneys for the state say is more than enough to render inmates unconscious
Tommy Arthur’s attorney says a wig he wore during the murder is the only piece of physical evidence that can exonerate him
The governor said he does not think Arkansas needs to change its execution protocol, citing court rulings that have upheld the use of the sedative midazolam
The suit claims the FDA’s refusal to release the drugs for use in lawful executions will cause ongoing harm to the state
Kenneth Williams’ attorneys demanded an investigation into what they call a “problematic execution”
Kenneth Williams, 38, is set to die for killing a former deputy warden following an escape
J.W. Ledford is scheduled to die May 16 for the fatal stabbing of his neighbor, Dr. Harry Johnston
The standard procedure has been to turn off a microphone after an inmate’s last statement and turn it on again for the official pronouncement of death
