Category: Ready for launch

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

The Wrong Carlos: More Evidence That Texas Executed an Innocent Man

In 2006, the Chicago Tribune published a three-part investigative report that revealed the execution of Carlos DeLuna in Texas in 1989 may have been a case of mistaken identity. Today The Columbia Human Rights Law Review published The Wrong Carlos – a book-length study of the case that chronicles in shocking detail the massive series… Continue reading The Wrong Carlos: More Evidence That Texas Executed an Innocent Man

Judge finds evidence of racial bias in North Carolina death sentence

In the first case heard under North Carolina’s Racial Justice Act (RJA), a judge found that racial bias played a significant role in the death sentence given to Marcus Reymond Robinson 18 years ago. Robinson’s sentence was changed to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The RJA, passed in 2009, allows death row… Continue reading Judge finds evidence of racial bias in North Carolina death sentence

25th Anniversary of McCleskey v. Kemp

April 22nd marks the 25th anniversary of the US Supreme Court’s decision in McCleskey v. Kemp. In this controversial decision the court ruled that it was “inevitable” that minorities would be treated worse by the criminal justice system and that the Constitution is only violated where it is proven that a specific person in a… Continue reading 25th Anniversary of McCleskey v. Kemp

Victims’ Family Members Call for Repeal in Connecticut

Last week, two dozen family members who lost loved ones to murder gathered at the Connecticut state capitol to highlight the death penalty’s harmful impact on victims’ families. “The death penalty is not given out equally,” said Khalilah Brown-Dean, whose cousin was murdered. “It’s about saying certain cases are more important than others, certain crimes… Continue reading Victims’ Family Members Call for Repeal in Connecticut

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

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