Topic
Lethal Injection
638 published works
EvidenceProf Blog
After 2 Botched Attempts to Execute Christa Pike, Tennessee Governor Puts Pause on Executions in the State
By Colin Miller
Last night, Tennessee was scheduled to execute Christa Pike for the 1995 murder of 19 year-old Colleen Slemmer. The case became sensationalized [as part of the "Satanic Panic" craze] when…
Other
Tennessee completes its first execution in five years
As reported in this local article, "Tennessee has executed Oscar Franklin Smith, sentenced to death for the 1989 killings of his estranged wife Judith Robirds Smith and her two teenage…
Legal Theory Blog
Legal Theory Bookworm: “Secrets of the Killing State” by Lain
The Legal Theory Bookworm recommends Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection by Corinna Barrett Lain. Here is a description: Lethal injection is nothing like what…
Sentencing Law and Policy
Arizona completes execution 20+ years after murderer sought "suicide by jury"
As reported in this USA Today article, "Arizona executed convicted murderer Aaron Gunches by lethal injection Wednesday, marking the first execution in the state since 2022. Gunches, 53, had sought…
Criminal
AG Garland rescinds federal execution protocol citing “risk of pain and suffering” in using pentobarbital for lethal injection
Via this new substack post by Chris Geidner, I see that Attorney General Merrick Garland sent this letter to the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to order rescinding the…
Criminal
Missouri and Texas both complete lethal injection executions
Two states completed executions last night. Here are the basics from news accounts:From CNN, "Missouri executes Marcellus Williams despite prosecutors and the victim’s family asking that he be spared":Marcellus Williams,…
Criminal
South Carolina completes its first execution in 13 years
As reported in this AP piece, "South Carolina put inmate Freddie Owens to death Friday as the state restarted executions after an unintended 13-year pause because prison officials couldn’t get…
Criminal
Oklahoma completes execution for double murder committed 20+ years ago
As reported in this AP piece, Michael Dewayne Smith, who was "convicted of shooting and killing two people in Oklahoma City more than two decades ago, was executed Thursday morning."…
Sentencing Law and Policy
A week of notable capital punishment stories
A number of capital punishment press pieces caught my eye last week, and here is a quick round up to start a new week: From the AP, "Oklahoma panel denies…
Other
After a 6-3 SCOTUS vote to vacate stay, Texas completes its sixth execution of 2023
As detailed in this AP article, a "Texas man who unsuccessfully challenged the safety of the state’s lethal injection drugs and raised questions about evidence used to persuade a jury…