Pennsylvania Death Penalty

The death penalty in Pennsylvania dates back to the colonial times. The death penalty consisted of hangings, then the electric chair, to finally lethal injections (which is still in effect today). The electric chair was used until 1990, when Governor Robert P. Casey signed over Pennsylvania's method of execution from the electric chair to lethal injection. The executions are held in the State Corrections Institute at Rockview, which is located in Benner Township, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania only sentences a criminal to the death penalty if they are found guilty of first degree murder. From here on out, there are several steps required and a long waiting process to carry out the death penalty or to see if a criminal will actually get the death penalty. After the first hearing, where the judge sentences the guilty person to the death penalty, another hearing is held. This other hearing consists of the viewing of aggravating and mitigating factors. If there is at least one aggravation factor, and no mitigating factors, the death penalty will take place. The only thing that may stop the sentencing of the death penalty would be if there was a mitigating factor. One aggravation factor is if the criminal killed somebody while in the act of a committing a felony. One mitigating factor is he defendant, while in the act of killing, was under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance.

If the last step clears, then the next would be to have it formally sentenced by the judge. After that, the Supreme Court has to also approve. At this point, the court can either keep the criminal subjected to the death penalty or have then sentenced to life in prison. If the death penalty is still sentenced, the Governor has to approve also. Then only he can set the date after signing a document known as the Governor's Warrant. Then after all of this, the execution will take place. It is a lengthy, and costly process, to carry out the death penalty.


Death penalty in pennsylvania. (2011, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.cor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/department_of_corrections/4604

Pennsylvania code on murder and aggravating and mitigating circumstances. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.capitalpunishmentincontext.org/resources/statelaws/pa

Philadelphia Inquirer, PI. (2007, July 1). Pennsylvania death sentences . Retrieved from http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/624