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
When fail-safes become failures
Just hours before Texas inmate Duane Edward Buck was to be taken to the death chamber the US Supreme Court halted his execution to investigate charges that his sentence was tainted by race issues . Buck, an African-American, was convicted of a double-murder in 1995. At trial Dr. Walter Quijano, a psychologist, testified that simply… Continue reading When fail-safes become failures
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.
RECOMMENDED LINKS: The Cost of the Death Penalty Under the Spotlight
A recent article in the New York Times reported that the trial of mob leader Vincent Basciano will suck up an estimated $10 million of public funds, despite the fact that he is already in prison without the possibility of parole for previous crimes. Another recent story in The Republic revealed that Montana’s Legislature has… Continue reading RECOMMENDED LINKS: The Cost of the Death Penalty Under the Spotlight
RECOMMENDED LINKS: California’s Law Enforcement Talk A Blue Streak On The Death Penalty
Members of California’s law enforcement community have been filling pages of newsprint to talk about the death penalty. Former prison warden Jeanne Woodford, who was named new executive director of pro-repeal organization Death Penalty Focus, said in a recent article in the LA Times: “The death penalty serves no-one.” And Jeanne should know. She presided… Continue reading RECOMMENDED LINKS: California’s Law Enforcement Talk A Blue Streak On The Death Penalty
Parole Board Says There’s Too Much Doubt To Execute In Hawkins Case
Shawn Hawkins was 21 when he was sentenced to die for a double-murder in Ohio. Now, over 20 years later, the parole board has unanimously recommended that Hawkins should not be executed because of lingering doubts about his guilt. The sole eyewitness in Hawkins’ case was Henry “Junior” Brown, a 16-year-old who was a suspect… Continue reading Parole Board Says There’s Too Much Doubt To Execute In Hawkins Case