California’s Governor Gavin Newson California Governor Gavin Newsom halts the state’s death penalty with an Executive Order rousing comments and opinions from supporters and opponents, including some inmates. “I did this with a heavy heart,” said Newsom in an interview on KRON 4, a Bay Area television channel. “I did this with the victims in mind." "The order was met with scorn from supporters of the death penalty who called the blanket reprieves an abuse of power,” NPR reported. Marc Klass said it’s a “Trumpian” thing to do and … [Read more...] about Governor Gavin Newsom halts the state’s death penalty
Death Penalty
Subtle tactics to dismiss Black jurors in CA trials
Some prosecutors may be using subtle tactics to dismiss Black jurors, despite laws against such racial bias in jury selection, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. You could call it the “O.J. Strategy.” Rather than addressing race overtly, these prosecutors ask jurors whether they agreed with the controversial 1995 acquittal of O.J. Simpson. Simpson, a Black football star, was charged with the murders of his ex-wife and her friend, who were both White. If jurors agreed with the verdict, they are dismissed, and prosecutors cite … [Read more...] about Subtle tactics to dismiss Black jurors in CA trials
Death penalty dying according to author John Grisham
Seventy-five percent of the 141 prisoners on North Carolina’s Death Row would face radically different prosecutions today under reforms enacted in recent years, The News & Observer reports. “Almost none would get the death penalty. For some, the charges would be dropped,” wrote John Grisham, a best-selling author and former defense lawyer who now is on the board of the Innocence Project of New York. “The death penalty is dying, not because of the courage of lawmakers or judges, but because of the compassion shown by jurors … [Read more...] about Death penalty dying according to author John Grisham
Magick helps man to survive the row
An Arkansas inmate performed ceremonial “ magick” to help him survive Death Row, reported an article in The Guardian. Damien Echols said he summoned an angel through magick (which he believes is a mixture of gnostic Christianity, esoteric Judaism, and Taoist energy practices) to protect himself. “It had no discernible facial features. But I knew it was an angel,” Echols said, “and I got why angels in the Bible say ‘be not afraid’ when they show up, because this thing was terrifying.” Echols and two friends were convicted of killing … [Read more...] about Magick helps man to survive the row
Canadians favor death penalty
A Canadian newspaper editorial cites a 2016 survey that says 58 percent of Canadians favor the return of the death penalty. The editorial board of the Ottawa Sun took issue with Amnesty International Canada (AIC) criticizing Florida’s use of the death penalty. Canada abolished capital punishment in 1976 — the same year the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty. The last execution in Canada was when Ronald Turpin and Arthur Lucas were hanged at Toronto’s Don Jail in 1962. The Sun’s editorial board suggested that AIC should … [Read more...] about Canadians favor death penalty
Developing a relationship from 40 years of letter writing
Letter-writing has not lost its appeal, at least not for Carol Horan, who values having something handwritten for its “lasting quality.” She has been a pen pal to prisoners for more than 40 years. Horan first wrote a man name Jeff Dicks, who later died in prison of a massive heart attack after 17 years on Death Row, according to mysouthsidestand.com, a digital news site. “The first letter was so hard to write because you don’t know what to say or ask,” Horan said. As she got to know Dicks, she learned he was convicted in 1979 for … [Read more...] about Developing a relationship from 40 years of letter writing
Death Row gains attention with crucifixion painting
Prisoners on Death Row in Nashville gained the attention of many parishioners with a thought-provoking painting of the crucifixion scene of Jesus, reported Holly Meyer of the USA Today Network. Derrick Quintero, sentenced to death in 1991 for first-degree murder, is one of the artists who depicted the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. “The piece of art is a commentary on the continuing battle for our collective moral world view. I asked my fellow community members to help me create this project to begin conversation about what … [Read more...] about Death Row gains attention with crucifixion painting
Tennessee prisoner makes ultimate decision in how he wants to die
Death by lethal injection or death by electrocution was, for Edmund George Zagorski, the last major life decision he would make. He was 63 years old when he was executed Nov.1 by electric chair for the murder of John Dotson and Jimmy Porter over a sale of 100 pounds of marijuana in l983. Zagorski shot, stabbed and robbed Dotson and Porter, then stole their truck. The two men died at the scene. Zagorski chose electrocution because he knew experts were speaking out against lethal injection, believing it caused cruel suffering … [Read more...] about Tennessee prisoner makes ultimate decision in how he wants to die
State v. Gregory ruled unconstitutional
Abolition of the death penalty is likely in the near future, a constitutional law professor says. “The American death penalty lurched one step closer to its eventual demise” because of a Washington State Supreme Court decision in October, Garrett Epps wrote in an article for The Atlantic. “In State v. Gregory, the state court held that the death penalty, as imposed in the state of Washington, was unconstitutional because it was racially biased,” noted Epps, a faculty member at the University of Baltimore. Epps pointed to a ruling from … [Read more...] about State v. Gregory ruled unconstitutional
Amnesty International urges death penalty repeal
“Two wrongs don’t make a right. The death penalty is no way to impart justice,” says Erika Guevara Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International. In 2016, the US Supreme Court in Hurst v. Florida ruled that Florida’s capital sentencing law was unconstitutional. Yet, despite the ruling, Florida still has the second-largest death row in the nation and is fourth in the number of executions since 1976. Amnesty International wants Florida to abolish their death penalty but it’s an uphill battle. A new report released by Amnesty … [Read more...] about Amnesty International urges death penalty repeal