Entries by Death Penalty Information Center

Recent developments in Montana and New Mexico may affect the outcome of legislative efforts to abolish the death penalty. In Montana, the Senate voted 27 – 23 to end the death penalty in favor of life in prison without parole. It is the second session in a row that such a proposal has cleared the Senate. New Mexico’s House passed a bill replacing capital punishment with life in prison without parole and the bill is pending in a Senate committee. Legislatures in both states cited the risk of…

Edward Bell, a Jamaican immigrant convicted of killing a police officer, is scheduled to be executed in Virginia on February 19 despite a conclusion by a federal District Court that his lawyers failed to present any mitigating evidence at his trial. Judge James Jones of the Eastern District of Virginia held that the representation Bell received violated constitutional standards. However, a new sentencing hearing to explore the ample mitigating evidence that existed was never granted. According…

Wayne Tompkins is scheduled to be executed in Florida at 6 pm on February 11 despite evidence that he could be innocent. Tompkins was sentenced to death for a murder in which even the victim’s death is in question. The body used as evidence in the case was identified by partial dental records matching one tooth, and several individuals have signed affidavits saying they saw the victim alive after the alleged murder. Gov. Crist could stay the execution. Update: Wayne Tompkins was executed on…

Several states have recently introduced legislation to abolish or limit the death penalty. Bills to end capital punishment have been introduced in at least eight states: Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, New Hampshire, Maryland, Washington, and Kansas. For some of these states, the high costs of the death penalty has been an important factor in the legislative debates. For example, Colorado’s bill to abolish the death penalty specifies that the money saved from not pursuing executions…

Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis was scheduled to be executed numerous times in 2008, but each date was stayed. His case is currently under review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit. International interest has continued to mount because of concerns about his possible innocence. Most recently, Amnesty International has assisted in preparing a multimedia presentation about his case with the music group “State Radio.” The video may be viewed here. Davis’ case has garnered support…