Death Penalty in the U.S.
Latest
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Arkansas
Published: May 04, 2016
This podcast discusses the history of the death penalty in Arkansas, how it is carried out in the state, and executive and legislative efforts to repeal or reintroduce capital punishment. Arkansas’ use of the death penalty has mirrored the politics of race in the state, and the podcast explores some sensitive issues relating to racial bias, lynching, and capital punishment. It also discusses the state’s reenactment of the death penalty after Furman v. Georgia and current issues with lethal injection drugs.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Connecticut
Published: Mar 03, 2015
Connecticut had an infamous history as far as the death penalty was concerned. Connecticut is believed to have executed a 12 year-old in 1786 — the youngest person ever executed in the history of the United States. Legal issues have yet to resolve the status of Connecticut’s current death row population, despite the death penalty being abolished in Connecticut in 2012.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Illinois
Published: Mar 03, 2015
Illinois had a long history of racial bias in its implementation of the death penalty. Numerous studies and commissions led to the Illinois State Legislature abolishing capital punishment in the state in 2011.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
New Mexico
Published: Feb 20, 2015
The emptying of death row by Governor Tony Anaya in 1986 set the tone for the erosion of support for the death penalty in New Mexico. As a state with a growing Roman Catholic and non-white population, the shifting demographics became apparent in 2009 when Gov. Richardson asked his constituents for feedback on death penalty abolition.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
New York
Published: Feb 20, 2015
New York carried out more executions than any state other than Virgina between 1608 and 1972. However, in the 1960s, the state legislature began to chip away at what constituted a capital crime. In 2004, the state’s highest court declared the death penalty violates the state constitution due to arbitrariness and a state appellate court effectively vacated death row in 2007.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
New Jersey
Published: Feb 09, 2015
In 2006, New Jersey became the first state to legislatively impose a moratorium on executions. This moratorium would be the precursor to the state’s abolition of the death penalty in 2007.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Rhode Island
Published: Feb 09, 2015
A capital murder trial wrought with prejudice in the 18th century set the foundation for a state that would abolish the death penalty twice in the next 200 years. This abolitionist culture led to controversy when Governor Lincoln Chafee refused to transfer a murder suspect to Federal custody.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
District of Columbia
Published: Oct 31, 2014
The District of Columbia is a special area that has oversight on both the local and federal levels. This unique status has led to a dynamic with the death penalty that is not found in any state in the US.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Massachusetts
Published: Oct 31, 2014
Massachusetts has a long history of capital punishment ever since it was an English colony in the 17th century. However, a famous case involving two Italian immigrants may have been the turning point against capital punishment in Massachusetts.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Iowa
Published: Oct 24, 2014
“Uncivilized and impossible to enforce.” This was the sentiment of Iowa in 1872 when the state initially abolished capital punishment. What followed was a series of events that led to the reinstatement, and second abolition of the death penalty.