Post by scotkaz on Jul 14, 2006 15:50:37 GMT -5
Do No Harm?
Timeline: Death Penalty Milestones
From the time of our nation's beginning until the late 1950s, the federal
government played a minor role in setting death penalty policy. Most states
provided capital punishment, and executions were common until the late 1950s
although some states abolished the death penalty, beginning with Michigan in
the late 1840s.
Hanging was the most favored form of capital punishment in many states for
decades. This 1896 public hanging occurred in Missouri.
1888 Seeking a more humane method of execution than hanging, New York builds
the first electric chair. Soon after, other states adopt this execution
method.
Today, Nebraska is the only state to execute convicts using electrocution as
its sole method of capital punishment.
1924 The use of cyanide gas is first introduced as a more humane way of
executing inmates in Nevada.
Today, five states authorize lethal gas as a method of execution, but all
have lethal injection as an alternative method.
1936 Some 61 percent of Americans favor the death penalty for persons
convicted of murder, according to a Gallop Poll.
1947 In reaction to the atrocities committed during the Second World War,
Italy becomes the first major power in Europe to abolish capital punishment.
1962 Canada conducts its last execution.
1965 The death penalty has been abolished in 13 states, and the number of
executions in those states where capital punishment remains legal drops from
199 in 1935 to seven in 1965.
The debate over the abolition of the death penalty shifts from state
legislatures to federal courts. Death penalty opponents bring lawsuits
contending that the death penalty violates several amendments to the U.S.
Constitution.
In the early 1900s the electric chair became the prevalent method of
execution in the U.S as it was seen as more humanitarian method than
hanging.
1966 Support for the death penalty reaches in all time low with 42 percent
of Americans supporting it.
1972 A Supreme Court ruling in the case of Furman v. Georgia suspends the
death penalty citing "cruel and unusual punishment." An official moratorium
remains until 1976.
1976 In the case of Gregg v. Georgia, the Supreme Court legalizes capital
punishment.
1977 Utah becomes the first state to execute a prisoner since the Court's
ruling when Gary Gilmore is put to death by firing squad.
Oklahoma becomes the first American state to permit execution by legal
injection using a method devised by Dr. Stanley Deutsch to replace methods
seen as less humane.
1980 The American Medical Association passes a resolution against physician
participation in lethal injections as a violation of core medical ethics.
Early 1980s Every major country in Western Europe has stopped executing
criminals.
1982 Charles Brooks becomes the first person in the U.S. executed by legal
injection when he is put to death in Texas.
1994 President Clinton signs a crime bill making dozens of federal crimes
subject to death penalty. Public support for the death penalty reaches 80
percent.
1999 The United Nations Human Rights Commission passes a resolution
supporting a worldwide moratorium on executions.
Executions Since 1976 by Method Used:
Lethal Injection: 861
Electrocution: 152
Gas Chamber: 11
Hanging: 3
Firing Squad: 2
2002 The Supreme Court bans execution of the mentally retarded.
2003 According to Amnesty International, a total of at least 1,146 prisoners
were executed in 28 countries. Four nations - China, Iran, the United
States, and Vietnam - conduct 84 percent of all executions.
2005 The Supreme Court strikes down the death penalty for juveniles.
Some 83 countries no longer authorize the death penalty, whereas 78 nations
permit it for some crimes. The U.S. is the only Western industrialized
nation where executions still occur.
2006 Some 65 percent of Americans support the death penalty, according to a
Gallop Poll. Lethal injection remains the preferred method of execution in
most U.S. states today.
(Sources: Death Penalty Information Center, Encarta, Michigan State
University)
Timeline: Death Penalty Milestones
From the time of our nation's beginning until the late 1950s, the federal
government played a minor role in setting death penalty policy. Most states
provided capital punishment, and executions were common until the late 1950s
although some states abolished the death penalty, beginning with Michigan in
the late 1840s.
Hanging was the most favored form of capital punishment in many states for
decades. This 1896 public hanging occurred in Missouri.
1888 Seeking a more humane method of execution than hanging, New York builds
the first electric chair. Soon after, other states adopt this execution
method.
Today, Nebraska is the only state to execute convicts using electrocution as
its sole method of capital punishment.
1924 The use of cyanide gas is first introduced as a more humane way of
executing inmates in Nevada.
Today, five states authorize lethal gas as a method of execution, but all
have lethal injection as an alternative method.
1936 Some 61 percent of Americans favor the death penalty for persons
convicted of murder, according to a Gallop Poll.
1947 In reaction to the atrocities committed during the Second World War,
Italy becomes the first major power in Europe to abolish capital punishment.
1962 Canada conducts its last execution.
1965 The death penalty has been abolished in 13 states, and the number of
executions in those states where capital punishment remains legal drops from
199 in 1935 to seven in 1965.
The debate over the abolition of the death penalty shifts from state
legislatures to federal courts. Death penalty opponents bring lawsuits
contending that the death penalty violates several amendments to the U.S.
Constitution.
In the early 1900s the electric chair became the prevalent method of
execution in the U.S as it was seen as more humanitarian method than
hanging.
1966 Support for the death penalty reaches in all time low with 42 percent
of Americans supporting it.
1972 A Supreme Court ruling in the case of Furman v. Georgia suspends the
death penalty citing "cruel and unusual punishment." An official moratorium
remains until 1976.
1976 In the case of Gregg v. Georgia, the Supreme Court legalizes capital
punishment.
1977 Utah becomes the first state to execute a prisoner since the Court's
ruling when Gary Gilmore is put to death by firing squad.
Oklahoma becomes the first American state to permit execution by legal
injection using a method devised by Dr. Stanley Deutsch to replace methods
seen as less humane.
1980 The American Medical Association passes a resolution against physician
participation in lethal injections as a violation of core medical ethics.
Early 1980s Every major country in Western Europe has stopped executing
criminals.
1982 Charles Brooks becomes the first person in the U.S. executed by legal
injection when he is put to death in Texas.
1994 President Clinton signs a crime bill making dozens of federal crimes
subject to death penalty. Public support for the death penalty reaches 80
percent.
1999 The United Nations Human Rights Commission passes a resolution
supporting a worldwide moratorium on executions.
Executions Since 1976 by Method Used:
Lethal Injection: 861
Electrocution: 152
Gas Chamber: 11
Hanging: 3
Firing Squad: 2
2002 The Supreme Court bans execution of the mentally retarded.
2003 According to Amnesty International, a total of at least 1,146 prisoners
were executed in 28 countries. Four nations - China, Iran, the United
States, and Vietnam - conduct 84 percent of all executions.
2005 The Supreme Court strikes down the death penalty for juveniles.
Some 83 countries no longer authorize the death penalty, whereas 78 nations
permit it for some crimes. The U.S. is the only Western industrialized
nation where executions still occur.
2006 Some 65 percent of Americans support the death penalty, according to a
Gallop Poll. Lethal injection remains the preferred method of execution in
most U.S. states today.
(Sources: Death Penalty Information Center, Encarta, Michigan State
University)