Category: Ready for launch

Trauma-Informed Schools: A Key Strategy for Public Safety

By now, many have heard about the recent incident at Spring Valley High School, where a South Carolina deputy slammed a young African American girl to the ground, dragged her on the floor, and handcuffed her for disobeying school rules. Several videos have gone viral and spurred national dialogue about the “school-to-prison pipeline,” a framework… Continue reading Trauma-Informed Schools: A Key Strategy for Public Safety

Death penalty documentary garners Oscar buzz

Last Day of Freedom is a new, short documentary that follows the story of Bill Babbitt and his younger brother, Manny. It has already sparked conversations around the country, and now the it’s gaining momentum as a contender for an Academy Award. The film centers on the moral challenges Bill faces when he learns Manny… Continue reading Death penalty documentary garners Oscar buzz

Supreme Court looks at exclusion of blacks from jury in Georgia death penalty case

In its next look at the death penalty, the Supreme Court is faced with the case of Timothy Tyrone Foster, to be argued on November 2. Foster is a black man who was convicted and sentenced to death by an all-white jury for the murder of a white woman. The jury was composed entirely of… Continue reading Supreme Court looks at exclusion of blacks from jury in Georgia death penalty case

Evangelicals change 40-year pro-death penalty position

The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has a new position on the death penalty. The resolution, passed by the Board of Directors, outlines serious concerns with the death penalty and acknowledges growing opposition and differing views on the issue among Evangelicals. The resolution represents a significant shift for the organization, which had a position in… Continue reading Evangelicals change 40-year pro-death penalty position

Supreme Court’s next death penalty case looks at roles of judge, jury

Continuing its look at death penalty, the Supreme Court will hear argument on Tuesday in Hurst v. Florida[efn_note]No. 14-7505.[/efn_note] to decide whether Florida’s practices in capital trials are constitutional. At issue in Hurst is whether a judge properly imposed a death sentence without the necessary fact-finding by a jury. Florida is one of the few… Continue reading Supreme Court’s next death penalty case looks at roles of judge, jury

Pope Francis calls for global abolition of death penalty, other justice reforms

Before a joint session of Congress – a first for any Pope – Pope Francis called for an end to the death penalty around the globe. He praised efforts for repeal in the U.S., including the work of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Importantly, he linked the issue with a broader theme of criminal… Continue reading Pope Francis calls for global abolition of death penalty, other justice reforms

Honoring victims, calling for a system that heals

On September 25, in honor of National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, I spent time reaching out to several family members of murder victims. Some survivors shared the traditions they have developed over the years to mark the day, including visiting burial grounds or viewing commemorative videos and photographs. Others told me that the… Continue reading Honoring victims, calling for a system that heals

3 high profile executions in 3 days – *live thread, updated*

Update 10/1/15, 9:42pm: Alfredo Pieto was executed in Virginia tonight at 9:17pm. His lawyers had just filed an application for a stay with the U.S. Supreme Court when news of his execution was announced. Update 10/1/15, 7:36pm: After a change of venue, a Federal Court in Virginia heard arguments about the lethal injections drugs to… Continue reading 3 high profile executions in 3 days – *live thread, updated*

Scott Panetti’s mental illness at issue again in new hearing

In a hearing last week in front of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, lawyers for Texas death row inmate Scott Panetti argued that his severe mental illness renders him without the mentally competency to be executed. They asked the court to send the case back to a lower federal court to… Continue reading Scott Panetti’s mental illness at issue again in new hearing