Missouri law bans those under 21 from witnessing executions. Despite attempts to challenge the law, 19-year-old Khorry Ramey will be barred from attending her father's execution on Tuesday.
While the pause comes as a relief to those opposed to the death penalty, Ivey's full-throated defense of the practice makes it clear that she seeks only a temporary pause in executions, not an end to the policy.
For the second time in three months, the state struggles and fails to execute a death row inmate.
The Supreme Court often reverses the U.S. Court of Appeals in habeas cases, but not this time.
After the latest reprieve from the governor, he’s scheduled for execution in February.
In her short, yet searing dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson argues that the court should have granted the petition of an Ohio man sentenced to death after prosecutors hid a key witness' severe intellectual disability from jurors.
Unfortunately, in five separate cases today, they're outnumbered.
As per usual, politicians' response to negative effects of the drug war is…more drug war.
An unannounced SWAT team invaded a Texas man’s home in failed pursuit of drug evidence. They’ve blamed him for the violence they incited.
Delaying Glossip's execution until December allows the courts to consider new evidence that might prove his innocence.
Joe Nathan James appeared to have suffered for hours as prison officials tried to establish an IV for lethal injection.
A newly unearthed letter suggests the primary witness against Glossip (and the actual killer) had regrets and made a “mistake.”
A federal judge rules against effort to stop use of three-drug cocktail.
The state claimed she beat a 2-year-old to death. But evidence may show it was the result of a fall down stairs.
Meanwhile in South Carolina, the state Supreme Court delays a planned execution by firing squad.
Due to a lack of access to lethal injection drugs, Richard Moore had to choose between the electric chair and getting shot through the heart.
The district attorney who put Melissa Lucio away is now behind bars himself.
A Supreme Court ruling restoring Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s capital sentence and a congressional logjam makes it clear that only he can keep his campaign promise.
An interesting concurrence to one of today's Supreme Court decisions.
Alabama allows death row inmates to pick an execution method other than lethal injection. But this intellectually disabled prisoner didn't receive proper accommodation, a judge says.
The Trump administration's revival appeared to be an outlier. Executions are becoming more and more rare.
In exchange, Jones shall “never again be eligible to apply for, be considered for, or receive any additional commutation, pardon, or parole.”
The state’s pardon board vote to recommend clemency for Julius Jones. He’s scheduled to be put to death on Thursday.
John Marion Grant convulsed and vomited as he was put to death.
A district court judge found "overwhelming evidence" of Vickers Cunningham's bigotry.
Ernest Johnson is scheduled to be executed today.
For every 8.3 executions in the United States, one innocent person on death row has been exonerated.
In two slightly different line-ups, the en banc court denied two habeas claims 9-7.
Nevertheless, it will at least temporarily stop the federal death penalty.
A new brief asks the Supreme Court to reinstate Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s death sentence.
America's approach to capital punishment changed in the 1970s. It's time for another look.
Georgia D.A. reverses her previous position when faced with a mass shooting she sees as a hate crime.
Ledell Lee was put to death in 2017 for a killing he likely didn't commit.
This morning's summary reversal of a habeas petition grant in Mays v. Hines.
President Joe Biden campaigned on ending the federal death penalty, but he’s been quiet about it since taking office.
With Justice Barrett joining Justice Kagan, does Dunn v. Smith represent a shift on the Court?
The state that has executed the most prisoners may soon end the practice entirely.
The Department of Justice rushes to prevent mercy before a new administration can take over.
Lisa Montgomery faces possible execution this evening.
An annual report on the death penalty shows its use declining everywhere except in the federal government.
His Trump toadying was absolutely awful, but still not nearly as bad as his unremittingly harsh approach to justice and policing.
Bill Barr and Donald Trump spend the end of their terms executing prisoners.
Five who tested positive recently will participate in this week’s planned executions of Brandon Bernard and Alfred Bourgeois.
Three more death row inmates have been scheduled to die.
The court improbably concludes that the execution protocol is illegal, but does not enjoin its use
The incoming administration opposes the death penalty, but the Justice Department has three more executions planned this year.
Lisa Montgomery killed a pregnant woman and took her baby in 2004. She is clearly mentally unwell. What does killing her accomplish?
State-level executions have been on the decline since 2000, but the federal government recently got back in the business of executing prisoners.