All you need to know about death penalty
Here’s a look at the death penalty in the United States.
Facts:
As of October 11, 2018, capital punishment is legal in 30 US states.
As of October 11, 2018, capital punishment is legal in 30 US states.
Federal Government:
The US government and US military have 63 people awaiting execution as of December 21, 2018.
The US government and US military have 63 people awaiting execution as of December 21, 2018.
The US government has executed three people since 1988 when the federal death penalty statute was reinstated.
Females:
There were 55 women on death row in the United States as of July 1, 2018, the most recent date for which data is available from the Criminal Justice Project.
There were 55 women on death row in the United States as of July 1, 2018, the most recent date for which data is available from the Criminal Justice Project.
Sixteen women have been executed since the reinstatement of the death penalty (as of December 31, 2017).
Juveniles:
Twenty-two individuals were executed between 1976 and 2005 for crimes committed as juveniles.
Twenty-two individuals were executed between 1976 and 2005 for crimes committed as juveniles.
March 1, 2005 – Roper v. Simmons. The Supreme Court rules that the execution of juvenile offenders is unconstitutional.
Clemency:
Since 1976, 288 individuals have been granted clemency.
Since 1976, 288 individuals have been granted clemency.
For federal death row inmates, the president alone has the power to grant a pardon.
Timeline:
1834 – Pennsylvania becomes the first state to move executions into correctional facilities, ending public executions.
1834 – Pennsylvania becomes the first state to move executions into correctional facilities, ending public executions.
1846 –Michigan becomes the first state to abolish the death penalty for all crimes except treason.
1890 –William Kemmler becomes the first person executed by electrocution.