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.
Lance Shockley waited for hours near Sgt. Carl Graham Jr.’s home, then shot him with a rifle and shotgun as the trooper exited his cruiser
Fred Singleton, 81, was ruled incompetent to be executed in 1993 but was never resentenced
Ten states have carried out executions in 2025, with Florida, Texas, Alabama and South Carolina leading the count
Idaho would become the fifth state to approve a firing squad as a backup to the lethal injection drug shortage
In a letter, Gov. Kay Ivey said “it is time to resume our duty of carrying out lawful death sentences”
A veteran officer called the killing “horrific,” saying “it’s the worst one I’ve seen, certainly in 22 years”
The state has executed more inmates per capita than any other state since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976
The state eliminated its never-used firing squad option in 2009, but has been unable to secure the drugs needed for lethal injection executions
Jurors in the inmate’s case were wrongly told that the only way to ensure he would never walk free was to sentence him to death
Andre Thomas’ attorneys say he will never be competent for his April 5 execution.
Nitrogen hypoxia is seen as a solution to the difficulty of obtaining lethal injection drugs
The attorney is calling for an investigation, accusing officials of moving ahead with the lethal injection while federal appeals were still outstanding
Raheem Taylor long maintained that he was in California when his girlfriend and her three young children were killed in 2004
Kenneth Eugene Smith was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection last year for a 1988 murder-for-hire slaying
If the bill passes as is, Florida would have “the most extreme death penalty statute in the country”
“I would like to apologize to Mark and the Nix family for taking him away from you. I hope this brings you closure,” inmate Wesley Ruiz said
The order means that it could be four more months until justices decide whether a newly organized firing squad or the electric chair are legal methods of execution
Executions will now be held at least 60 days apart rather than every 30 days in the state
“Arizona has a history of mismanaged executions that have resulted in serious questions and concerns about execution protocols,” Gov. Katie Hobbs said
The review found that the state hasn’t complied with lethal injection processes since 2018, resulting in executions being conducted without proper drug testing
The state’s latest attempt to end nearly 12 years without an execution is to pass a new shield law to protect the identities of drug providers
Attorney General Gentner Drummond requested that executions be set 60 days apart, rather than the current 30-day timeframe
Several other states, including California and Georgia, allow for a multi-day execution process
“Supplying nitrogen for the purpose of human execution is not consistent with our company values,” a company rep said
Prior to the ruling, execution warrants in the state were only valid for the day noted on the court order
Scott James Eizember’s attorneys did not deny he killed A.J. Cantrell, 76, and his wife, Patsy Cantrell, 70, on Oct. 18, 2003
Robert Fratta, 65, received a lethal injection of pentobarbital as his spiritual advisor prayed over him for hiring two people to kill his estranged wife in 1994
Robert Fratta, 65, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection for hiring two people to kill his estranged wife in 1994
Amber McLaughlin, 49, spoke with a spiritual advisor as she received a lethal injection of pentobarbital for killing Beverly Guenther in 2003
Amber McLaughlin’s scheduled execution for murdering a former girlfriend will be the first of an openly transgender woman
Two 2022 called-off execution attempts have led to a top-to-bottom internal review of the Alabama death penalty process
Christopher Williams, 62, spent 25 years on Pennsylvania death row, before being exonerated of four murders and freed
Inmate Henry Hodges has accused the state of cruel and unusual punishment and inadequate medical and mental health care