News & Developments
Innocence
Jan 27, 2023
Oklahoma Attorney General Appoints Special Counsel to Conduct ‘Thorough Review’ of Richard Glossip’s Case
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has appointed a special counsel to conduct a ‘thorough review’ of the case of death-row prisoner Richard Glossip, who has faced nine execution dates despite strong evide…
Victims' Families
Jan 26, 2023
Family Members of Murder Victims Call on North Carolina, Nevada to Commute States’ Death Rows
In North Carolina and Nevada, family members of murder victims are speaking out against the death penalty, encouraging officials in both states to commute their death row. At a press conference (pictured) outside the North Carolina gove…
Representation
Jan 25, 2023
Alabama Court Removes Key Appeal Protection for Death Sentenced Defendants
The Alabama Supreme Court announced a change to its rules of appellate procedure on January 12, 2023, eliminating automatic plain error review for trial errors in death penalty cases. This new rule removes a significant safeguard for capital defen…
Upcoming Executions
Jan 24, 2023
Oklahoma Court Grants Attorney General’s Motion to Slow State’s Execution Spree
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (OCCA) has reset the state’s execution schedule, slowing down the pace at which the 25-person execution spree it authorized in July 2022 would move forward. The order, issued January…
Botched Executions
Jan 23, 2023
Botched Executions Prompt New Arizona Governor and Attorney General to Halt Executions Pending Independent Review of State’s Execution Process
Executions in Arizona are effectively on hold after Governor Katie Hobbs (pictured) ordered a review of the state’s execution process following three botched executions in 2022 and Attorney General Kris Ma…
Race
Jan 20, 2023
Kansas Capital Defendant Moves to Bar Death Penalty, Invoking State Constitution’s ‘Strict Scrutiny’ For Life and Liberty Issues
A Kansas capital defendant is challenging the prosecution’s decision to pursue the death penalty in his case, invoking a heightened standard of review the Kansas constitution applies to infringements of fundamental rights.
Human Rights
Jan 19, 2023
Lawsuit Alleges Federal Death-Row Conditions Violate U.S. Constitution and Human Rights Treaties
A Russian national on the U.S. federal death row has filed a civil rights lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal government’s use of automatic and prolonged solitary confinement to house individuals sentenced to death. T…
Botched Executions
Jan 18, 2023
Kenneth Smith Describes Alabama’s Failed Attempt to Execute Him
Alabama death-row prisoner Kenneth Smith spent four hours on November 17, 2022 strapped to an execution gurney while state prosecutors attempted to lift a stay of execution issued by a federal appeals court and hi…
Executions Overview
Jan 17, 2023
Tennessee Gov. Says No Death Warrants Until Execution Protocol Problems Fixed
Tennessee will not resume executions until it fixes systemic problems with the administration of its execution protocol, Governor Bill Lee has announced. “It’s a very important issue that has to be done correctly,…
Innocence
Jan 13, 2023
Supreme Court Reverses Texas Court Decision Based on Prosecutor’s Admission About Flawed Forensic Evidence
The U.S. Supreme Court has reversed the denial of relief to a Texas death-row prisoner whose request for new trial is supported by local prosecutors. In a two-sentence decision, the Court granted certiorari to Areli Escoba…