Capital punishment is legal and in use by the U.S. State of Alabama.
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Current development
The death penalty in Alabama was reinstated on March 5, 1976,[1] when Alabama's legislature passed a new death penalty statute (In 1972 the Furman v. Georgia case, the United States Supreme Court ruled that current statutes are unconstitutional, which results effective ban on the capital punishment until Gregg v. Georgia, which overturned Furman in 1976. After Furman every death sentences in country were commuted, but number of states passed a new statutes, although no execution was carried out until 1977) and Governor George Wallace signed it.
Methods
From 1927 until 2002,[2] the electric chair was the only method of executions in Alabama. Since July 2002, lethal injection became the primary method, although inmates still could chose by electrocution.[3]
After lethal injection was introduced, every inmate chose this over the electric chair. The last person executed involuntarily in the chair in Alabama was Lynda Lyon Block.
Executions are carried out at the Holman Correctional Facility, near Atmore, Alabama.
Statistics
44 people have been executed by the state of Alabama since 1983 (24 by electrocution and 20 by lethal injection).[4][5]
Currently there are 207 people on the death row,[6] including 95 black males, 100 white males, 3 other males, 2 black females and 3 white females.[7]
Capital crimes
Intentional murder with any of 18 aggravating factors can be charged as capital murder. Juries can recommend a sentence, but the trial judge makes the determination. [8]
Clemency
The Governor of Alabama has a sole authority to grant a commutation of a clemency in capital cases.[9]
There has been only one commutation of a death sentence since 1976. Judith Ann Neeley's death sentence was commuted to life in prison without possibility of parole by outgoing Governor Fob James in January 1999.[9]
Controversies
Alabama's death penalty system is criticized for ineffective legal support for inmates facing death sentence. Also some cases are highly controversial. Brian K. Baldwin was executed in 1999 despite lack of evidences of his guilt, and many questions raised about his trial and investigations and other evidences which could claims his innocence.[10]
Other controversial cases results execution were cased of Freddie Lee Wright and Cornelius Singleton.[11]
Also some juveniles and mentally retarded person were put to death in Alabama.[5]
Earlier history
Between 1812 and 1965, 708 people were executed in Alabama.[1]
Until 1927, hanging was the prime method of executions, although one person was shot.[1]
Capital crimes includes: murder, rape, arson, and mugging.[12] Alabama executed the last person convicted by crime other than murder in the U.S. was James Coburn for robbery in 1964.
18 of these people executed in the pre-Furman era were women.[1]
Most of people executed for rape were black.[12] Many of these cases were controversial.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Regional Studies The South
- ^ Alabama's Chair
- ^ Methods of Execution
- ^ Inmates Executed in Alabama
- ^ a b Death Penalty Information Center
- ^ Death Penalty Information Center
- ^ Inmates on Deathrow
- ^ Crimes Punishable by the Death Penalty.
- ^ a b Clemency
- ^ Brian K. Baldwin
- ^ Probably Innocent But Executed
- ^ a b Alabama Executions, 1812-1965.
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