In brief: January 2023
January 19, 2023
In Oklahoma, Scott Eizember was killed last week. Eizember was sentenced to death in 2003 for the murders of A.J and Patsy Cantrell. His execution
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California will dismantle death row; prison transfers will be “permanent and involuntary”
January 17, 2023
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is moving ahead with its plan to dismantle its death row in San Quentin State Prison and move
While we’re on the subject . . . .
January 9, 2023
“The death penalty is beyond redemption. It is unfair and unfixable, and it turns states into killers in the name of vengeance against killers,” the
Two year-end reports highlight a broken death penalty system in the US
January 3, 2023
“2022 can be called ‘the year of the botched execution,’” the Death Penalty Information Center stated in its annual report on capital punishment in the
Alabama governor doubles down on blaming the wrong people for botched executions
December 14, 2022
After Alabama corrections officials botched their third execution in four months on November 17, Gov. Kay Ivey called a hiatus, saying it wasn’t the fault
The tragic case of Kevin Johnson, set to be killed by Missouri this month
November 30, 2022
Missouri killed Kevin Johnson on Tuesday evening. He was sentenced to death for killing Kirkwood police officer Sgt. William McEntee in 2005, a crime he
Tennessee’s shameful and shocking treatment of Henry Hodges
November 30, 2022
A judge’s order late last month means a man on Tennessee’s death row, who slit his wrists before severing his penis in early October, will
Oklahoma high court denies both of Glossip’s petitions for a hearing on new evidence
November 29, 2022
In one week, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals denied two petitions filed by Richard Glossip for an evidentiary hearing to consider new evidence of
Alabama’s governor tries to shift the blame for the state’s botched executions
November 29, 2022
In a bizarrely-worded statement, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey called for a temporary halt to executions last week. She announced the decision after corrections officials botched
California man is freed on DNA evidence after 38 years in prison
November 29, 2022
“What has happened to Mr. Hastings is a terrible injustice,” Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said at a news conference announcing Maurice Hastings’ release
In brief: November 2022
November 29, 2022
In Texas, Tracy Beatty was killed early last month despite valid questions about whether his crime qualified for the death penalty. Beatty was found guilty
Alabama’s cruel and unusual execution protocol results in another botched execution
November 23, 2022
For the second time in two months, Alabama botched an execution. Corrections officials ended their attempt to kill Kenneth Smith on November 17 after trying
Alabama to tinker with the machinery of death again
March 3, 2023
Three months after a series of botched executions caused Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to call for a pause in state killing to allow time for
The execution of Donald Dillbeck
February 27, 2023
Florida corrections officials killed Donald Dillbeck last Thursday. They did so despite the extensive evidence of his horrific sexual and physical abuse as a child,
Donald Spoto
February 27, 2023
Former Death Penalty Focus board member Donald Spoto died earlier this month. He was 81. His death from a brain hemorrhage was announced by his
While we’re on the subject . . .
February 27, 2023
“Justice Department standards on federal death penalty called confusing,” was the headline in a recent Washington Post article. The paper interviewed federal defense lawyers and
In brief: February 2023
February 27, 2023
The Death Penalty Information Center reports that the first state killing this year occurred on January 3, when Missouri executed Amber McLaughlin. Texas followed one
The incomprehensible injustice of the Andre Thomas case
February 27, 2023
The State of Texas plans to execute Andre Thomas on April 5. Throughout his life, Thomas sought treatment for his severe mental illness symptoms, including
Pennsylvania governor continues moratorium; calls on legislature to abolish the death penalty
February 27, 2023
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced earlier this month that he will not sign any execution warrants while he is in office; he will continue the
Poll: Majority of Oklahomans support a moratorium on the death penalty
February 27, 2023
A poll commissioned by Oklahoma Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, released last week, shows that 78% of Oklahoma voters support a moratorium on the
CA AG Rob Bonta establishes a conviction integrity unit
February 27, 2023
In an effort to “remedy cases where there have been miscarriages of justice,” California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced earlier this month that he is
