Latest News

Alarming Start to Executions in Iran for 2012

The new year begins with more reports of executions in Iran. According to official and unofficial sources at least 25 prisoners have been executed in the the first 2 days of 2012.

First U.S Execution of 2012.
Gary Welch was sadle executed at 6pm on Thursday 5th January in Oklahoma for his first degree murder conviction in 1994.

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Good News for California
A judge has tossed out California’s new lethal injection protocol, throwing the state’s execution system into further upheaval. The judge ruled that the state had failed to justify the decision to put in place a three-drug lethal injection method, which some experts said carries a risk of “excruciating pain,” instead of a one-drug method, which one of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s own experts had recommended.

No executions have been conducted in California since 2006, when a federal judge effectively halted lethal injections, citing various deficiencies in the state’s methods. Recent polls show a sharp decline in support for capital punishment and the reported spiralline costs of the death penalty has been a major factor.

Executions Stopped in Oregon
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber recently halted the December execution of of Gary Haugen. Haunted by allowing the executions of two men more than a decade ago, the Governor of Oregon declared "Never again will it happen on my watch, I simply cannot participate once again in something that I believe to be morally wrong"
 

Idaho Executes: 1st Time in 17 Years
On Friday 18th November, Idaho executed their first prisoner in 17 years. Paul Rhoades has been on death row for nearly a quarter of a century. Many current and former inmates have expressed the difference Paul has made to their lives, persuading them to turn against violence and criminality.

 
  Protestors opposing the execution of Paul Rhoades

Justin Wolfe May Be Home Soon
Justin Wolfe who recently had his death sentence overturned due to evidence of his innocence could be coming home to his family before long. It is currently being considered by a federal judge who has not specified a timeframe but has stated he will decide "soon" We hope that it is OUR idea of soon!

Last Minute Stay for Hank Skinner

Thankfully Texas death row inmate Hank Skinner has recieved a last minute stay of execution. He was due to be executed on November 9th but the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has issued a stay while his case is considered. Mr Skinner's legal team is hoping that the courts will allow DNA testing of evidence that could exonerate Mr Skinner of the crime.

Texans March Against the Death Penalty
The 12th annual march to abolish the death penalty took place this week in Austin, Texas. The march was lead by 20 death row exhonerees from all over the United States all of whom spent many years on death row. Every October since 2000 citizens of Texas, the U.S and other countries have gathered together to voice their opposition to the death penalty. 

Hank Skinner to be executed before DNA testing
Hank Skinner, a Texas Death row inmate was convicted of killing his girlfriend and her two sons despite a lack of DNA testing in his case. The rape kit, murder weapons and several hairs found in the victims hands have never been tested and the states star witness has since recanted her testimony. Earlier this year the US supreme court ruled that Skinner had the right to sue the D.A for the rights to DNA testing, despite this an execution date has been set of November 9th 2011.

Cards for Justin - can you help?
Justin Wolfe recently had his death sentence overturned. He's been moved off death row but put on segregation for no reason at all. He has no tv or books, no contact with other prisoners and limited family visits. Please send him a quick letter or post card. He can also have puzzles cut out of magazines/papers.

His address is:

Justin Wolfe #1139246
Sussex 2 State Prison
24427 Musselwhite Drive
Waverly
VA 23891
USA

  Buy the book here   Tony Medina

Florida lawmaker files Bill to bring back firing Squad
In a controversal backlash to deathrow inmates and lawyers complaints regarding "painful lethal injections", Florida state lawmaker Brad Drake has filed a bill to give prisoners the choice between lethal injection, electrocution and firing squad. Read more here.