California’s death penalty and Proposition 66
January 11, 2019
Proposition 66, titled the Death Penalty Reform and Savings Act, which passed by a slim majority in California in 2016, is a deeply flawed initiative
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Brown orders DNA testing in Kevin Cooper case
January 11, 2019
When Jerry Brown announced on Christmas Eve that he was granting 143 pardons and 131 commutations, he also announced that he was granting Kevin Cooper’s
In brief: January 2018
January 11, 2019
In Nevada, 48-year-old Scott Dozier apparently died by suicide on death row at Ely State Prison last Friday. The Huffington Post reports that Dozier apparently died by
While we’re on the subject . . .
January 11, 2019
In his New Republic article, “Why Aren’t Democratic Governors Pardoning More Prisoners?”, Matt Ford looks at how few Democratic governors pardon or commute the sentences of prisoners,
Voices: Joseph Giarratano
January 11, 2019
(Editor’s Note: The front page of this newsletter spells Joe Giarattano’s name incorrectly in the headline. We would correct it, but the computer program we use won’t
Calls for Gov. Brown to grant death row clemencies grow louder
December 14, 2018
Six former governors called on California Gov. Jerry Brown this week to grant clemency to the 740 men and women on death row, stating that
Unanimous CA Supreme Court reverses death sentence
December 14, 2018
The California Supreme Court last week unanimously reversed the death sentence for Dora Buenrostro, who was convicted of killing her three children, Susana, Vicente, and
Fewer than 30 executions and 50 death sentences for fourth year in a row in U.S.
December 14, 2018
“New death sentences and executions remained near historic lows in 2018 and a twentieth state [Washington] abolished capital punishment, as public opinion polls, election results,
Texas buys execution drugs from tainted pharmacy
December 14, 2018
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice obtains its lethal injection drugs “from a pharmacy that regulators have repeatedly cited for dangerous practices,” according to a
Voices: Maurice Possley
December 14, 2018
“Until I can be sure that everyone sentenced to death in Illinois is truly guilty, until I can be sure with moral certainty that no
While we’re on the subject . . . .
December 14, 2018
In her article, “This Is What Wrongful Conviction Does to a Family,” in Politico, Lara Bazelon looks at the arrest of two men for the 1982
In brief: December 2018
December 14, 2018
In Texas, three men were executed in the space of four weeks: 43-year-old Alvin Braziel was executed on Tuesday for the 1993 murder of Douglas
While we’re on the subject . . .
May 23, 2022
Closing the Slaughterhouse: The Inside Story of Death Penalty Abolition in Virginia is a comprehensive account of the remarkable effort that resulted in the abolition of
In brief: May 2022
May 19, 2022
There was a “worrying rise in executions and death sentences” last year, Amnesty International announced in its annual report this week. In 2021, at least
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine postpones another execution over lethal injection concerns
May 17, 2022
A little over a week after Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced he was staying five state killings planned for this year, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine
Arizona executes Clarence Dixon despite his mental illness
May 12, 2022
The state of Arizona killed Clarence Dixon on Wednesday morning, despite his long history of mental health challenges and the abuse he suffered as a
Tennessee governor stays five executions planned for this year
May 10, 2022
Stating that, “The death penalty is an extremely serious matter, and I expect the Tennessee Department of Correction to leave no question that procedures are
DPF seeks its next Executive Director
May 3, 2022
Death Penalty Focus is hiring a new Executive Director. We’re looking for a dynamic and thoughtful person to support our mission to end California’s death
Melissa Lucio’s execution is stayed
April 26, 2022
Two days before Lucio was scheduled to be executed, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (the equivalent of a state supreme court) issued a stay.
While we’re on the subject . . .
April 26, 2022
“Why Is Toforest Johnson Still on Alabama’s Death Row?” former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Drayton Nabers, Jr., asks in his op-ed in
An execution in Texas, a reprieve in Tennessee, and a stay in South Carolina
April 25, 2022
Two of three planned executions for this month were stayed, while Texas held its first of five planned for this year. Texas executed Carl Buntion
