One hundred and six years ago today Kansas became one of the first states to pass legislation ending the death penalty. Kansas’ death penalty was reinstated a few times since 1907, most recently in 1994. But it was never embraced. In 2010 the State Senate voted 20-20 on repealing the death penalty, with 12 Republicans… Continue reading 106 years ago, Kansas Repealed the Death Penalty. Time to Revisit History?
Author: Emma Weisfeld-Adams
Texan Imprisoned for 30 Years With No Conviction
The capital conviction of Jerry Hartfield, an illiterate man with an IQ of 51, was overturned in 1983. At that time, the appeals court ordered a new trial – but that trial never happened. The case was at a virtual standstill until 2006, when another prisoner helped him file a handwritten motion asking that Hartfield… Continue reading Texan Imprisoned for 30 Years With No Conviction
PA Coalition Against Rape Joins Calls to Stop Execution of Terrence Williams
Today the PA Coalition Against Rape joined numerous groups against sexual violence, hundreds of child advocates, faith leaders, and former jurors in calling on Pennsylvania’s governor to stop the execution of Terrance “Terry” Williams. Pennsylvania is scheduled to execute Williams on October 3rd for killing two men, Amos Norwood and Herbert Hamilton. What the jury… Continue reading PA Coalition Against Rape Joins Calls to Stop Execution of Terrence Williams
Re-imagining What’s Possible
You might notice some differences in this issue of our newsletter. For starters, the name. Not to mention our logo, tagline, and overall look. The fact is, EJUSA has been changing and growing for a long time. Now, our outside is catching up to our insides. Where we were: Moratorium Now! The 1980s and ‘90s… Continue reading Re-imagining What’s Possible
Botched Executions: A Regular Occurance
A new study finds that 3 percent of executions in the United States were “botched.” What the study doesn’t tell you is the ripple affects of harm these botched executions can take. Every execution requires a team of corrections officers who watch the inmate in his or her final days, who strap the inmate to… Continue reading Botched Executions: A Regular Occurance
Troy Davis was executed. September 21st, 11:08 EST.
Right now I am mourning. I am sad, outraged, and angry. I am full of emotions I can’t even name. I know many people like you feel the same way right now. Troy Davis was executed by the state of Georgia tonight, at 11:08pm EST after an awful, 4-hour roller coaster in which the Supreme… Continue reading Troy Davis was executed. September 21st, 11:08 EST.
Californians Changing Their Minds on the DP / Interactive Map of the DP Worldwide
Donald A. McCartin was known as the “hanging judge” because of his record of sentencing nearly a dozen men to death in Orange County, California. But now he’s changed his mind and thinks California should get rid of the death penalty entirely. Find out why in this amazing op-ed in the LA Times. When Gil… Continue reading Californians Changing Their Minds on the DP / Interactive Map of the DP Worldwide
Justices Deny Troy Davis Appeal: Take Action to Stop an Execution Amid Doubt
Yesterday the Supreme Court denied what might be the last set of appeals from Troy Davis – despite serious questions around his guilt. Davis has been on Georgia’s death row since 1989, when he was convicted of killing Savannah police officer Mark Allen MacPhail. No physical evidence ever tied him to the crime. Instead, his… Continue reading Justices Deny Troy Davis Appeal: Take Action to Stop an Execution Amid Doubt
The biggest year yet for Maryland?
Maryland lawmakers are practically clamoring to show their support for a new bill that would end Maryland’s death penalty. At a press conference yesterday it was unveiled that the bill has received a record number of co-sponsors: 21 Senate co-sponsors (24 are needed for passage) and 61 House co-sponsors (71 are needed for passage). Maryland… Continue reading The biggest year yet for Maryland?
New poll shows views on the death penalty are changing
A new nationwide poll shows that the majority of Americans now support alternatives, such as life without parole and restitution for victims, over the death penalty. It also shows that the death penalty is simply not the hot button issue people used to think it was. Most poll respondents said that if their representatives supported… Continue reading New poll shows views on the death penalty are changing