capital punishment

Garland halts federal executions, orders review of protocols

By Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long, Michael Tarm, Associated Press

The Justice Department is halting federal executions after a historic use of capital punishment by the Trump administration, which carried out 13 executions in six months.

New law in South Carolina makes inmates choose electric chair or firing squad

By Associated Press

South Carolina had been one of the most prolific states of its size in putting inmates to death. But a lack of lethal injection drugs brought executions to a halt.

U.S. executes 2nd man in a week; lawyers said he had dementia

By Michael Balsamo, Jessica Gresko, Associated Press

The Supreme Court early Thursday cleared the way for a second federal execution this week.

Judge halts second federal execution amid claims inmate isn’t mentally fit

By Associated Press

Wesley Ira Purkey, convicted of a 1998 kidnapping and killing, was scheduled for execution Wednesday at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, where Daniel Lewis Lee was put to death Tuesday after his eleventh-hour legal bids failed.

Judge orders new delay on federal death penalty hours before execution in Indiana

By Associated Press

Daniel Lewis Lee, of Yukon, Oklahoma, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 4 p.m. on Monday at a federal prison in Indiana.

Americans are divided on federal executions. Why is the Trump administration bringing them back?

By Laura Santhanam

The expected executions, scheduled for this winter, would be the first time the federal government has executed anyone in 16 years.

Federal government will execute inmates for first time since 2003

By Associated Press

The Justice Department says five inmates will be executed, starting in December.

Supreme Court rules against Missouri inmate with rare health issue

By Associated Press

The Supreme Court said Monday that Missouri can execute an inmate who argued his medical condition will result in severe pain if he is given death-causing drugs.

What’s next in the fight over Arkansas executions

By Laura Santhanam

The fight for Davis’ life escalated through a series of appeals and counter arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court late Monday. Without knowing if the court would offer an opinion, prison personnel preemptively served him his last meal.

Should states ban the death penalty for people with severe mental illness?

By Rebecca Beitsch, Stateline

Legislators in at least seven states have proposed bills this year to prohibit the death penalty for people who suffered from a serious mental illness at the time of their crime.