|
|
Publications
Regional, National, and World News
REGIONAL NEWS
- In Utah, Joseph Parsons is scheduled to be executed shortly after 12:01 a.m. on October 15, 1999. Mr. Parsons is a "volunteer" -- after spending 10 years on death row, he withdrew his federal appeals and gave up all challenges to his death sentence. His death will leave 11 men facing execution in Utah.
- In Wyoming, Aaron McKinney's capital trial for the killing of Matthew Shepherd begins on October 11, 1999. The sentencing decision will be made by a jury if Mr. McKinney is convicted of first degree murder. Opponents of capital punishment have now organized as the Wyoming Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty; they helped table a legislative proposal to require sentencing by three-judge panels.
- In New Mexico, the state supreme court has cleared the way for an execution date to be set for Terry Clark, at his request. There are four men on death row in New Mexico.
WORLD NEWS
- The DPIC has reported that Germany will sue the U.S. in the International Court of Justice in the Hague as a result of the Arizona executions of German citizens Karl and Walter LeGrand.
- A U.N. human rights subcommittee has adopted a resolution condemning death sentences for those under 18 when their crimes occurred. The U.S. was one of six countries specifically criticized, and has killed 10 of the world's 19 juvenile offenders executed since 1990.
NATIONAL NEWS
- As of September 24, 76 persons have been put to death so far this year. This is the largest number of executions since 1954, and there are three months remaining in 1999. Seventeen more are scheduled before the end of the year. Stays of execution may delay at least some.
- The execution of Willis Barnes in Texas on September 10, 1999 was the 100th execution under Governor George W. Bush.
- In a 4-3 decision, the Florida Supreme Court has held that use of the state's electric chair does not violate the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishments. The electric chair also is used in Alabama, Georgia and Nebraska.
- A Florida newspaper reported on August 24, 1999 that the state supreme court has overturned convictions and sentences in 83 percent of its death penalty direct appeals this year. In 1998, the court reversed 77 percent of 26 direct appeals in capital cases.
Coloradans Against the Death Penalty Newsletter -- Fall 1999
See the Web site's News section for more articles and information about the death penalty.
|
|
|
|
|