Death Penalty

Tennessee and the Electric Chair: A Q&A With Death Penalty Expert Austin Sarat

Tennessee and the Electric Chair: A Q&A With Death Penalty Expert Austin Sarat Tennessee and the Electric Chair: A Q&A With Death Penalty Expert Austin Sarat

On Thursday, Tennessee became the only state in America to authorize forced electrocutions.

May 23, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

UPDATE: US Supreme Court Halts Execution of Russell Bucklew

UPDATE: US Supreme Court Halts Execution of Russell Bucklew UPDATE: US Supreme Court Halts Execution of Russell Bucklew

Medical evidence suggests Russell Bucklew's rare, birth defect could cause him to hemorrhage and gasp for air during a lethal injection.

May 21, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

Why This Missouri Death Row Inmate Wants His Execution Videotaped

Why This Missouri Death Row Inmate Wants His Execution Videotaped Why This Missouri Death Row Inmate Wants His Execution Videotaped

“If Missouri officials are confident enough to execute Russell Bucklew, they should be confident enough to videotape it.”

May 16, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

What You Need to Know About Today’s Scheduled Execution in Texas (UPDATE)

What You Need to Know About Today’s Scheduled Execution in Texas (UPDATE) What You Need to Know About Today’s Scheduled Execution in Texas (UPDATE)

UPDATE: The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has stayed the execution of Robert Campbell.

May 13, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

Healing the Rot at the Heart of the Criminal Justice System

Healing the Rot at the Heart of the Criminal Justice System Healing the Rot at the Heart of the Criminal Justice System

As reforms have caused incarceration rates to fall and the sky has not fallen with it, Americans are increasingly supportive of such measures. 

May 7, 2014 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

The Oklahoma Way of Death

The Oklahoma Way of Death The Oklahoma Way of Death

The “botched” execution of Clayton Lockett should shatter the illusion that lethal injection is neither cruel nor unusual.

May 6, 2014 / Column / Richard Kim

Newly Released Timeline of Botched Execution Reveals Gruesome Details

Newly Released Timeline of Botched Execution Reveals Gruesome Details Newly Released Timeline of Botched Execution Reveals Gruesome Details

Oklahoma’s top prison official is calling for a halt to all executions until the state refines its protocol.

May 2, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

Inmate Dies of Heart Attack After Botched Execution, Oklahoma Postpones Another

Inmate Dies of Heart Attack After Botched Execution, Oklahoma Postpones Another Inmate Dies of Heart Attack After Botched Execution, Oklahoma Postpones Another

Clayton D. Lockett reacted “violently” to an untested combination of drugs Tuesday before succumbing to a heart attack.

Apr 30, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

Study: Most of the Innocent People Sentenced to Death Have Not Been Exonerated

Study: Most of the Innocent People Sentenced to Death Have Not Been Exonerated Study: Most of the Innocent People Sentenced to Death Have Not Been Exonerated

Researchers found that about one in twenty-five of people sentenced to death are likely innocent.

Apr 29, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

Did Political Pressure Push Oklahoma’s Supreme Court to Lift a Stay of Execution?

Did Political Pressure Push Oklahoma’s Supreme Court to Lift a Stay of Execution? Did Political Pressure Push Oklahoma’s Supreme Court to Lift a Stay of Execution?

A state legislator wants to impeach the five justices who granted a state of execution for two death row inmates earlier this week.

Apr 24, 2014 / Steven Hsieh

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