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 lawsuit argued that Alabama DOC’s rule mandating a three-foot distance between the reverend and inmate during nitrogen execution was “hostile toward religion”
Attorneys for two of Idaho’s longest-serving death row inmates are challenging the state’s refusal to disclose the date of purchase for lethal injection drugs
Lawyers claim that the Alabama DOC’s rule on staying three feet away from the inmate during the nitrogen execution is unscientific and violates his right to practice religion
Thursday’s guilty plea came on the second anniversary of Vermilion Parish Deputy Allen Bares Jr.'s death
A lawyer for 65-year-old Vernon Madison told judges that stroke-induced dementia has made Madison unable to understand why the state plans to execute him
State can execute eight death row inmates, a split state Supreme Court ruled Thursday
The state is executing inmates at a record clip, but prosecutors almost never seek the death penalty anymore, and juries refuse to impose it when they do
Attorneys who contended “junk science” was used to send a father to death row for killing his 2-year-old daughter 14 years ago have won a reprieve
Texas’ highest criminal court should consider whether death penalty is being fairly applied and should still be constitutional, judge wrote
Former inmate says he wants to tear up an agreement that dismissed his murder charge while protecting prosecutors from any findings of misconduct
Says installing AC on death row could open “Pandora’s box” and force his department to make same accommodation for other prisoners
Republican Rep. Paul Ray said he’d like to see the time from sentence to execution cut from as much as 30 years to 15 or less
Inmate is first of 11 death row inmates to be resentenced since state Supreme Court ruled sentences violated prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment
Judge ruled more than two years ago that state imposes unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment once the heat index exceeds 88 degrees
State could spend roughly the same money on an AC system that would satisfy a federal judge’s order to protect death-row inmates from dangerous heat
Police didn’t connect the crimes to a serial killer for years
Neither case poses a broad challenge to the death penalty
The National Alliance on Mental Illness agrees jails have become the de facto largest mental-health institutions
Any execution is likely years away because of lengthy appeals
The request is limited to death row inmates who are plaintiffs in the litigation
A man set for execution for the slaying of a 64-year-old grandmother during a burglary has won a reprieve
The court released its 5-2 decision Thursday in the appeal of Russell Peeler Jr.
A death sentence would still be possible
If voters approve conflicting ballot measures, the one with the most votes prevails
Eight inmates are suing to stop their executions
Crime victims, prosecutors and other death penalty supporters plan to submit about 585K signatures
The company’s announcement has limited immediate impact
Why require less when sentencing someone to die?
If Jenkins is declared competent, a judge will set a death-penalty hearing
His lawyers say he has suffered multiple strokes over the last year which have lowered his IQ to 72
Missouri has been one of the most prolific states for executions in recent years
There was no indication that states like California purchased the drug, which would have cost about $718K for 18 executions
65-year-old Vernon Madison is scheduled to be executed Thursday