A well-known criminal lawyer wants the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the death penalty case of Abel Daniel Hidalgo because he says it could wipe out capital punishment in America. “I have spent the last few years with my team looking for cases that highlight the gross problems with the death penalty in practice, and this case is a perfect example of them,” attorney Neal Katyal told BuzzFeed News. He was also the lead attorney for Hawaii’s challenge to Pres. Donald Trump’s travel ban. Four justices have been waiting for an opportunity to hear a … [Read more...] about Death penalty appeal could possibly eliminate capital punishment in U.S.
Death Penalty
Nevada plans to use execute using combination of unproven drugs
Nevada plans to use a combination of drugs for an execution that has never been used and its effectiveness is unproven, an investigative Global News story reports. Despite the growing opioid epidemic plaguing a large number of U.S. and Canadian communities, Nevada Department of Corrections wants to use fentanyl in an upcoming execution, the Aug. 31 story reported. According to author Andrew Russell, “Scott Dozier, 46, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Nov. 14 for the 2002 murder of 22-year old Jeremiah Miller who was killed … [Read more...] about Nevada plans to use execute using combination of unproven drugs
CDCR officials seek new execution drug
California corrections officials are asking regulators to approve a revised method to carry out the death penalty. “The new regulations would allow California’s Death Row inmates at San Quentin State Prison to be executed using one of two different drugs or choose the gas chamber,” The Associated Press reports. Prison officials will select either the powerful barbiturate pentobarbital or thiopental for each execution “depending on which one is available.” Opponents argue officials are trying to work around a nationwide shortage of these drugs … [Read more...] about CDCR officials seek new execution drug
Death penalty ballot fails to impose strict inmate appellate deadlines
A key provision in last year’s death penalty ballot initiative to speed up executions failed to impose strict deadlines on how much time is allowed to resolve an appeal filed by an inmate’s attorney, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Proposition 66, sponsored by prosecutors and passed by 51 percent of the voters, was intended to remove various hurdles that have prevented the state from executing an inmate in more than 10 years at San Quentin State Prison,” the Times reported. In an August ruling, the California Supreme Court preserved most … [Read more...] about Death penalty ballot fails to impose strict inmate appellate deadlines
Alabama considering asphyxia as another method for executionhave
Alabama is considering use of nitrogen asphyxia as a third option to execute prisoners. “If SB12 is passed, Alabama would become the second state (Oklahoma is the other) to offer nitrogen asphyxiation, also known as nitrogen hypoxia, as a death penalty option,” the Montgomery Advertiser reported. Nitrogen is painless and easier to administer, said Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, the bill’s author. Nitrogen makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere and is harmless when inhaled with oxygen, the newspaper reported April 5. Alabama had also … [Read more...] about Alabama considering asphyxia as another method for executionhave
LA county imposes the highest number of death sentences
Since 2010, Los Angeles County has recorded 36 new death sentences, more than any county in the nation, said David Savage of the Los Angeles Times. “Judges and juries in Los Angeles County imposed a death sentence on four murderers during 2016, including Lonnie Franklin Jr., the so-called ‘Grim Sleeper,’ who was convicted of killing 10 women,” Savage reported. California has by far the nation’s largest death row, with 747 condemned inmates, but it has not carried out an execution in the past decade. Robert Dunham, executive director of the … [Read more...] about LA county imposes the highest number of death sentences
Former Death Row inmate turns advocate
Former Death Row inmate Shujaa Graham has turned into a prison rights advocate. Graham spent 11 years in various California prisons and was convicted of killing a prison guard, according to an Arizona Republic article. “No matter if you were a criminal, you’re still a human being” He said he was twice beaten by guards shortly after his murder conviction. He said the first beating took place in an elevator and the second when he entered his jail cell, in which he was assaulted by 12 to 15 people, according to the article. “They encircled me, … [Read more...] about Former Death Row inmate turns advocate
FDA impounds approximately 1000 vials of Texas execution drugs
State’s supply runs out after nine executions, it sues to have feds release impounded drugs The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detained a shipment of approximately 1,000 vials of drugs intended for executions in Texas. After waiting for nearly a year and a half, Texas officials demanded an end to the delays, filing a lawsuit that seeks to force the federal government to turn over the drugs, according to a report by the Dallas Morning News. “My office will not allow the FDA to sit on its hands and thereby impair Texas’ … [Read more...] about FDA impounds approximately 1000 vials of Texas execution drugs
California votes to speed up executions
While state lawmakers complete approval of a one-drug execution method, Californians voted not only to keep the death penalty on the books, but approved speeding up executions by limiting the appeals process. Californians rejected Proposition 62, which would have repealed the death penalty for persons found guilty of murder with special circumstances and replaced it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. The law would have been applied retroactively to the more than 700 men currently on San Quentin’s Death Row and the 21 females … [Read more...] about California votes to speed up executions
Who gets the death penalty? It mostly depends on who the prosecutor is
By Juan Haines A small number of prosecutors across the country are vigorously pursuing death sentences and, according to a new study, have done so without regard for fairness and accuracy. “These prosecutors are evidence that the application of the death penalty is — and always has been — less about the circumstances of the offense or the characteristics of the person who committed the crime, and more a function of the personality and predilections of the local prosecutors entrusted with the power to seek the ultimate punishment,” the study … [Read more...] about Who gets the death penalty? It mostly depends on who the prosecutor is