Bill Richardson, 1947-2023

The longtime politician and statesman is gone at 75.

Sirhan Sirhan Denied Parole Again

Politics and justice are in tension.

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Oregon Governor Commutes All Death Row Sentences

Kate Brown has left a parting gift for the state’s worst criminals.

[Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles] [Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles]

The Parkland Shooter Sentence And The Death Penalty

Another example of the arbitrariness of the death penaly

Mort Sahl, 1927-2021

The first modern stand-up comedian has died at 94.

Garland’s Moratorium on Federal Executions

A thorough review of the fairness of the process will be conducted.

SCOTUS: States Can’t Ban Clergy from Death Chamber

A rather odd non-ruling during the non-session from America’s highest court.

Is the Death Penalty Unconstitutional?

Dissenters to a denied emergency appeal argue it is.

Majority Supports Life In Prison Over Death Penalty, Poll Finds

A new poll finds that a strong majority of Americans support life in prison instead of the death penalty.

John Paul Stevens, Former Supreme Court Justice, Dies At 99

Just over nine years after retiring from the Supreme Court, former Associate Justice John Paul Stevens has passed away at the age of 99.

[Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles] [Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles]

New Hampshire Repeals Death Penalty

Last week, New Hampshire became the latest state to repeal the death penalty. Thus becoming the 21st state to do so.

Democrats and the Death Penalty

California Governor Gavin Newsome may have put the issue front and center for 2020.

[Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles] [Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles]

Supreme Court Rules No Right to ‘Painless Death’

The replacement of Anthony Kennedy with Brett Kavanaugh is already having a significant impact.

Washington Supreme Court Declares Life Without Parole For Juveniles Unconstitutional

Another landmark decision from the Washington State Supreme Court.

Washington State Supreme Court Declares Death Penalty Unconstitutional

Last week, the Washington State Supreme Court declared the death penalty unconstitutional. The latest in a string of victories for opponents of capital punishment.

[Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles] [Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles]

Pope Francis Declares Capital Punishment Unacceptable In All Circumstances

In what amounts to a significant, albeit not surprising, change in Catholic doctrine, Pope Francis has declared that the death penalty is unacceptable in all circumstances.

[Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles] [Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles]

Alabama Executes Walter Leroy Moody, Perpetrator of Racist Bombing Spree

If we’re going to have a death penalty, he was its poster boy.

Kevin Williamson Doesn’t Want Women Murdered and Doesn’t Belong at The Atlantic

Argumentation without the intent to persuade is masturbation, not journalism.

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Alabama Botches Another Execution

My former home state executes more people per capita than any other state in the union. It has not gotten much better at it.

Trump: Execute All the Big Drug Dealers

The President would like to copy Singapore’s zero-tolerance policy. The US Constitution stands in his way.

Notorious Mass Murderer Charles Manson Dead at 83

Charles Manson, who led a cult-like “family” to a series of murders in 1969 and subsequently spent more than 40 years in prison, has died at the age of 83.

Dylann Roof Ruled Competent To Stand Trial

Now, the road to trial will move forward.

Delaware Supreme Court Strikes Down Death Penalty As Unconstitutional

The death penalty appears to be effectively dead in Delaware thanks to a decision by the State Supreme Court.

Pfizer Bars Use Of Its Drugs In Capital Punishment

Pfizer has become the latest drug maker from barring its products from being used in executions.

Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, And The Minister Who Thinks It’s Okay To Kill Gay People

Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee recently kept company with a very disturbing religious leader.

The Supreme Court Begins A New Term With Several Politically Charged Cases

The marriage equality issue is resolved, but that doesn’t mean the Supreme Court won’t have a lot of high profile cases on its docket over the next eight months.

Connecticut Supreme Court Declares Death Penalty Unconstitutional

Connecticut eliminated the death penalty several years ago, and now the state’s Supreme Court has ruled that the men remaining on death row cannot be executed.

Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To Death Penalty

The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the way the death penalty is administered, dealing a serious blow to opponents of the death penalty.

Nebraska Repeals The Death Penalty

Despite a veto from the state’s Governor, today Nebraska became the latest state to repeal the death penalty. Hopefully, others will follow.

Nebraska Could Be The Next State To Repeal The Death Penalty

The largely conservative state of Nebraska seems to be on the verge of repealing its law authorizing capital punishment.

Tsarnaev Jurors Were Pro-Death Penalty

The gang at The Week are surprised that “Only jurors who were open to the death penalty were chosen for the Tsarnaev trial.”

Former Egyptian President Morsi Sentenced to Death

Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first truly-elected president, has been sentenced to death by the government which ousted him in a coup.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Sentenced To Death In Boston Marathon Bombing Trial

Final justice, but far from the end of the road.

Parents Of Youngest Victim Of Boston Marathon Bombing Call For Tsarnaev’s Life To Be Spared

The parents of the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombing argue that his killer should be spared from the death penalty.

Pennsylvania Governor Imposes Moratorium On Death Penalty

Reflecting a growing national trend away from the barbarity of capital punishment, the Governor of Pennsylvania has imposed a moratorium on executions in the Keystone State.

California Not Executing Enough People, Says Federal Judge

The most novel argument yet against capital punishment.

Supreme Court Quietly Revises Opinions With Little Notice To The Public

The Supreme Court, subject to revision.

Tennessee Brings Back The Electric Chair

Tennessee makes an unfortunate return to the past.

The Death Penalty Has Resulted In The Death Of Innocent People

Innocent men have been put to death on the orders of the state.

FBI To Review Faulty Forensic Testimony In Death Penalty And Other Cases

How can anyone possibly support the death penalty?

Is The Gun Debate Over?

Conor Friedersdorf contends “The U.S. Already Had a Conversation About Guns—and the Pro Side Won.”

Charlie Crist Endorses Obama, Condemns Party That Rejected Him

The former Republican governor of Florida says his former party is so extreme that it holds positions he held two years ago.

There’s No Evidence The Death Penalty Deters Crime

There is no evidence that the Capital Punishment works.

Los Tocayos Carlos: Texas Killed The Wrong Carlos

A man named Carlos killed a woman named Wanda Lopez. Texas executed a different man named Carlos for the crime.

Supreme Court Overturns Murder Conviction Due To Improperly Withheld Evidence

Another death row inmate. Another case of prosecutorial misconduct from the office of Harry Connick, Sr.