TheRepublic.com - Death penalty controversy News

Del. Supreme Court reinstates death sentence

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:37:35 -0400

DOVER, Delaware - The Delaware Supreme Court on Friday reversed a judge's ruling that had overturned the conviction and death sentence of man found guilty in a 1991 liquor store killing.

Holmes lawyers try to clear path for insanity plea

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:27:50 -0400

CENTENNIAL, Colorado - Lawyers for Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes asked a judge Thursday to clear away their legal questions so Holmes can plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

Lawyers for death row inmate ask SCOTUS to step in

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:55:35 -0400

ATLANTA - Lawyers for a Georgia death row inmate asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to prevent the execution of their client, who they say is mentally disabled.

Colorado killer's reprieve sharply criticized

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:14:19 -0400

DENVER - Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper's decision to block the execution of convicted killer Nathan Dunlap for as long as he is governor infuriated victims' relatives and drew quick criticism from Republicans ahead of the 2014 election.

Racial Justice Act repeal heard by NC House panel

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:45:51 -0400

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Opponents of a measure to repeal North Carolina's law that created another method to challenge racial bias in death row cases pleaded with House members Wednesday to preserve the Racial Justice Act and prevent the acceleration of capital punishment.

Human rights group protests US drone killings

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:16:25 -0400

NEW YORK - A top human rights organization on Wednesday criticized the Obama administration's increasing use of drone aircraft for the targeted killing of terrorism suspects overseas and questioned whether it is legal.

Fla. gov. steps up pace on signing death warrants

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:48:03 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Gov. Rick Scott is signing death warrants at a pace rarely seen in Florida since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

After 2 decades, nun's crusade continues

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:08:59 -0400

NEW ORLEANS - For two decades, Sister Helen Prejean has traveled around the world, speaking against capital punishment. She tells audiences about being a spiritual adviser to inmates on death row and talks about what it means to accompany a man to his death. She tells of meeting the families of the condemned men and the families of their victims. She talks about how the court system works, and how it doesn't. She speaks of forgiveness.

Ex-death row inmates: Veto Timely Justice Act

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:16:27 -0400

MIAMI - Two former death row inmates who have since been exonerated urged Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday to veto legislation that would expedite the state's capital punishment process, worrying it will condemn some innocent men to death.

Vietnam changes law to get around EU execution ban

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:43:23 -0400

HANOI, Vietnam - Vietnam has issued a new law allowing domestically produced chemicals to be used in lethal injections, a change that should enable it to resume the currently stalled executions of more than 530 people on death row.

Nebraska death penalty repeal bill dead for year

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:24:44 -0400

LINCOLN, Nebraska - A proposal to abolish the death penalty in Nebraska died on Tuesday after supporters failed to win a two-thirds majority required to quash a legislative filibuster.

Feds want Mass. man's death penalty reinstated

Thu, 09 May 2013 06:40:30 -0400

BOSTON - Prosecutors have asked a federal appeals court to reinstate the death penalty sentence handed down to a man who killed three people in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Miss. Supreme Court blocks Tuesday execution

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:48:27 -0400

PARCHMAN, Mississippi - The Mississippi Supreme Court indefinitely delayed Tuesday evening's planned execution of Willie Jerome Manning, who was condemned to die for the 1992 shooting deaths of two college students.

Defense argues against death penalty in shootings

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:22:41 -0400

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - A former prison guard charged with killing two Tennessee post office workers should not face the death penalty because the punishment is unconstitutional, court documents filed Tuesday said.

Florida editorial roundup

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:41:44 -0400

Recent editorials from Florida newspapers:

APNewsBreak: Ark. AG seeks executions for 7 felons

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:38:02 -0400

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - Arkansas' attorney general asked Gov. Mike Beebe to set execution dates for seven death row inmates, according to letters obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

Nevada bill would create death penalty cost study

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:34:08 -0400

CARSON CITY, Nevada - Nevada lawmakers want to take a closer look at the cost of keeping the death penalty in the state's criminal punishment arsenal.

Md. death penalty supporters aim to reverse repeal

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:49:28 -0400

BALTIMORE - Maryland death penalty supporters launched a petition drive Friday aimed at overturning the state's newly signed repeal of capital punishment, while opponents vowed to campaign hard if the matter lands on the ballot next year.

Governor signs repeal of death penalty in Md.

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:22:26 -0400

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland - Opponents of capital punishment marked a milestone Thursday as Maryland became the first state south of the Mason-Dixon line to abolish the death penalty in nearly 50 years, joining only West Virginia.

APNewsBreak: Death case had no judge for 16 months

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:00:43 -0400

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - A judge has been appointed to Kentucky's longest-running death row case after an Associated Press inquiry into why it had been pending 16 months without a judge.

Papua New Guinea proposes firing-squad executions

Thu, 02 May 2013 05:16:12 -0400

CANBERRA, Australia - Following a number of high-profile killings related to sorcery, Papua New Guinea's government is pushing for the South Pacific nation's first execution and says firing squads would be a humane and inexpensive method.

Ohio executes man who killed, raped 6-month-old

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:49:46 -0400

LUCASVILLE, Ohio - One family wept loudly and another family cheered Wednesday as a man was executed for killing a 6-month-old as he raped her.

Del. House panel tables death penalty repeal bill

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:30:58 -0400

DOVER, Delaware - Efforts to abolish capital punishment in Delaware hit a roadblock Tuesday when a House committee voted to table a bill repealing the death penalty.

For Boston bomb suspect, a seasoned defense team

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:13:25 -0400

BOSTON - One lawyer won acquittal for a Saudi man charged with carrying three firecracker-like devices on a plane, arguing he was a victim of hysteria over airport security after the Sept. 11 attacks. Another has managed to avert death sentences for some of the highest-profile criminals of our time, including the Unabomber and the gunman whose rampage injured former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Senate OKs bill speeding up capital punishment

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:50:27 -0400

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that would speed up the state's capital punishment process.