DPIC Podcasts
Items: 71 — 80
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.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Vermont
Published: Oct 24, 2014
Vermont has a long history of sparse use of capital punishment and saw a steady decline in the scope of crimes that were punishable by death throughout the years. The death penalty was rendered invalid in 1972 by Furman v. Georgia and has never been reinstated since.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Hawaii
Published: Oct 10, 2014
In the late 19th century, as Hawaii became a center of agricultural production, the immigrants who were brought to the islands in a form of indentured servitude bore the brunt of the arbitrariness of the judicial system in annexed Hawaii.
Death Penalty in the U.S.
Alaska
Published: Oct 10, 2014
Alaska was under territorial and colonial rule from the 18th century through 1959, when it became a state. This long history of outside influence, in addition to several other unique aspects of Alaska, have played an important role in the attitudes towards the death penalty there.