Death Penalty Quarterly | July 2024
The death penalty landscape across the U.S. is changing every day and CMN is committed to keeping this network up to date on what you need to know. In July 2024, we introduce this new tool: Death Penalty Quarterly.
Four times per year, we’ll provide state and federal death penalty analysis, advocacy spotlights, quick facts, upcoming calendar items, and more. Check out the first edition below.
By the Numbers
23 non-death penalty states
27 death penalty states, 6 of which have paused executions
200 exonerations since 1973
9 executions in 2024 carried out across 5 states
CALIFORNIA
California has the largest death row population in the country, with 638 people sentenced to death. The state’s recent decision to transform San Quentin prison into the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center means that all 638 individuals will be relocated to other prisons by the end of summer. Many already have been transferred.
Governor Gavin Newsom has been aggressively addressing the state of the death penalty in California since he took office in 2019. Abolition advocates have launched the Universal Clemency California Campaign, urging the governor to use his executive authority to grant clemency in all death penalty cases. This is expected to gain momentum in 2025.
More developments from California:
- Pending legislation, SB 1001—No Death Penalty for Intellectually Disabled Persons
- The California Catholic Conference is co-sponsoring this bill.
- Governor Newsom meets Pope Francis in the Vatican
- Pope Francis thanked Governor Newsom for his work to end the death penalty.
OHIO
Significant energy and focus has been put into a repeal bill that was thought likely to pass in the Ohio legislature this term. However, significant infighting has stagnated the bill’s progress.
A new bill has recently been introduced in Ohio to add nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method. At this time, our steadfast energy will be needed to oppose this death penalty expansion bill, and refocus our efforts on the repeal bill in the next two-year legislature term.
Upcoming opportunities to mobilize Ohioans to end the death penalty include:
- September 7: Mary at the Foot of the Cross: Somebody’s Child, a death penalty themed virtual retreat co-sponsored by CMN and Ohio collaborators. All are welcome, registration coming soon.
- September 24: Is This Justice? Stories of Death Row, CMN’s “Next Gen for Justice” College Speaking Tour comes to the University of Dayton. The panel will feature three powerful speakers who have been directly impacted by the U.S. death penalty. Students and community members are welcome to this free event
NOTABLE LEGISLATION
- Tennessee: New legislation signed into law authorizes the death penalty for instances of rape of a minor. Florida instituted a similar law last year.
- Louisiana: New legislation signed into law expands death penalty methods to include nitrogen hypoxia and electrocution. This legislation also adds a secrecy measure which protects the identities of those involved in carrying out an execution and the procurement of any materials needed.
- Connecticut: Sen. Saud Anwar intends on introducing legislation during the next general session that would ban Connecticut-based companies from producing drugs used for lethal injection.
RESUMING EXECUTIONS
- Indiana: Governor Eric Holcomb announced in June that he acquired lethal injection drugs and will seek a death warrant for Joseph Corcoran. This would be the state’s first execution in 15 years.
- CMN and the Catholic Conference of Indiana have spoken out in opposition.
- Utah: Taberon Honie is scheduled to be executed on August 8. If this execution moves forward, it would be the first execution since Ronnie Gardner, who was executed by firing squad 14 years ago.
EXONERATIONS
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Furman v. Georgia (1972) 200 people across 30 states have been exonerated from death row—saved from the threat of execution after a wrongful conviction.
200 exonerations is a result of the tireless efforts of faithful advocates and committed attorneys. Yet this milestone also symbolizes the measure of injustice that is the system of capital punishment and the irrevocable consequences of the death penalty.
FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY
With the presidential elections just months away, the issue of the federal death penalty rises to the surface. We do not want to risk a repeat of the 2020 execution spree that killed 13 people, initiated by the Trump administration after a 17-year hiatus of federal executions.
President Biden has a constitutional authority to commute the sentences of all 40 people on the federal death row—a move that would save them from the threat of execution.
Mark your calendars! CMN will host a webinar on the federal death penalty on September 17 at 2 p.m. ET.
IN MEMORIAM
“You who bear the weight of others’ unforgiveness, / Know that—with shuddering gasps / And blood-soaked tears upon my face— I bore it, too. / I want you now to lay down your load. / Turn your weary gaze to the light, / Come rest in the gentleness of God, / And live.”
We pray for those who have been executed this year: Kenneth Smith (AL), Ivan Cantu (TX), Willie Pye (GA), Michael Smith (OK), Brian Dorsey (MO), Jamie Mills (AL), David Hosier (MO), Ramiro Gonzales (TX), and Richard Rojem, Jr. (OK).
We also pray in a special way for the victims who lost their lives to acts of violence.
