Tag: death penalty

Trump Calls for Death Penalty in the Fight Against Child Trafficking

Former President Donald Trump released a campaign proposal on July 21 saying that he would subject human traffickers to the death penalty, as part of his latest anti-crime proposal for his 2024 White House bid. Mr. Trump also used the campaign video to endorse the nationwide box office hit “Sound of Freedom,” which tells the story…


Florida Man Executed for 1984 Killings of Teenage Babysitter, Mother of 2

STARKE, Fla.—A Florida man was executed Thursday for killing a 14-year-old babysitter and a 38-year-old mother of two in separate attacks months apart in 1984 while children were sleeping in the homes he targeted. Duane Owen was pronounced dead at 6:14 p.m. after a lethal injection at Florida State Prison, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’…


Supreme Court Sides With Inmate Who Wants to Be Executed With Nitrogen Gas

The Supreme Court sided on May 15 with a condemned man in Alabama who wants to be executed by nitrogen gas instead of lethal injection, refusing to set aside a stay of execution by lethal injection previously granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented…


Dr. Phil Convinced Oklahoma Death Row Inmate Richard Glossip’s Trial Was Unfair

OKLAHOMA CITY—Talk show host and clinical psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw stood on the steps of the Oklahoma Capitol and said the state planned to execute an innocent man but still had time to correct its error. “The highest law enforcement officer in the state of Oklahoma courageously stood up and said, ‘We blew this.’ You’ve…


[Premiering 5/8 at 2PM ET] Death Penalty for Child Rapists: New Law Goes into Effect in Florida | Facts Matter

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just signed a new bill into law that will authorize the death penalty for child rapists within his state. The new bill is called HB 1297, and it overwhelmingly passed the Florida legislature last month. In the Florida House, it passed 95–14, and in the Florida Senate, it passed 34–5. And…


Death Penalty for Child Rapists: New Law Goes into Effect in Florida | Facts Matter

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just signed a new bill into law that will authorize the death penalty for child rapists within his state. The new bill is called HB 1297, and it overwhelmingly passed the Florida legislature last month. In the Florida House, it passed 95–14, and in the Florida Senate, it passed 34–5. And…


Supreme Court Halts Execution of Oklahoma Death Row Inmate Richard Glossip

The U.S. Supreme Court on May 5 granted death row inmate Richard Glossip a stay of execution. At the same time, it considers two writs of certiorari in his murder case. Glossip’s attorney is hopeful he is one step closer to saving Glossip from the execution chamber. “We hope that the Court will reverse the…


Oklahoma Lawmakers, Activists Call on Governor to Sign Reprieve of Death Row Inmate

OKLAHOMA CITY—Anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean told a group of about 35 people in the Oklahoma State Capital that the state couldn’t be trusted with the power to execute people. “In that governor’s hand is the power of life and death. We have got to end this; they can’t handle it,” Prejean said. Prejean…


Oklahoma Attorney General Says State Should Give Death Row Inmate New Trial

The state of Oklahoma is scheduled to execute Richard Glossip on May 18 for the 1997 murder of his employer Barry Van Treese. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denied Glossip’s application for clemency on April 26. An unusual partnership of anti-death penalty activists and capital punishment advocates will gather at the state capitol in…


DeSantis Signs Bill Ending Unanimous Jury Vote Requirement for Death Sentence

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave final approval to a measure that puts an end to the requirement that all jury members need to vote unanimously to recommend the death penalty in capital cases. The new law, also referred to as Senate Bill 450, now requires just eight out of the total 12 jury members to vote…