Sean Sellers was a sixteen year old boy who lived in the state of Oklahoma. On September 5, 1985 he went and killed Robert Bower, a store clerk. His reason behind the killing was 'he wanted to know what it was like to kill somebody'. Soon after he had done this crime, he went on and killed his mother and stepfather while they were sound asleep in their Oklahoma City home. There was a testimony that had been given by him and his defense that Sean was addicted to the game Dungeons and Dragons; doing so gave him no control over his actions. This did not help him in the courts and he was sentenced to death on February 4, 1999 at the age of 29.
Sean was the thirteenth person executed who was a juvenile. States have certain age limits to where they trial an underage person as an adult: 3 states for sixteen and above, 9 states for seventeen and above, and the rest for 18 and above. All of the juveniles that have been sentenced to the death penalty have all been male. Race wise, African Americans have been sentenced the most. Also, the most race victimized have been white.
Juvenile offenders who were on death row. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/juvenile-offenders-who-were-death-row
Sean seller. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/sellers512.htm
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Furman v. Georgia
William Micke was at home with his wife and five kids, sleeping. Soon after, he heard a noise and went to check it out. There he found 29 year-old, William Furman. Furman was attempting to burglarizing the Micke home, but was caught. As he tried to flee, the gun that he had been carrying on him went off and shot Mr. Micke in the chest; leading to his death which occurred instantly. He got away from the scene, but was discovered by police soon after still with the gun in his possession.
Furman was taken into custody and charged with murder. His trial took place soon after and since Furman was poor he got a poor trial. He claimed that the death of Micke was an accident and the gun should have never went off; he was simply robbing the place. The gun went off as he tripped. The trial lasted only a day, and ending with him getting sentenced to death. Furman was ruled as mentally ill and the evidence showed the accident, but he had no leeway.
Furman's case was given a new attorney to help defend him. Furman appealed his case because of cruel and unusual punishment. This case violated his Eight Amendment rights because the case had many flaws against Furman's race, his case was random, and it was unfair because of the condition him and his life was in. If he was educated and white, his chances of not going to the death penalty would have been higher. Also, there have been studies that show random cases go to the death penalty, because there were similar cases to Furman's that only received prison.
Furman was still sentenced to death. His appeal did not succeed in saving his life because of the courts unfairness. His case was the first one that violated the Constitutional Rights. Many years later, the Supreme Court voted and ruled the reverse of his case; that his sentencing to death was cruel and unusual punishment.
Furman v. Georgia." Supreme Court Drama. Ed. Elizabeth M. Shaw. UXL-Thomson Gale, 2001. eNotes.com. 2006. 12 Apr, 2011
Furman v. georgia. (2011). Retrieved from http://law.jrank.org/pages/12834/Furman-v-Georgia.html
Major death penalty cases in the us supreme court. (2008, October 6). Retrieved from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=001769
Furman was taken into custody and charged with murder. His trial took place soon after and since Furman was poor he got a poor trial. He claimed that the death of Micke was an accident and the gun should have never went off; he was simply robbing the place. The gun went off as he tripped. The trial lasted only a day, and ending with him getting sentenced to death. Furman was ruled as mentally ill and the evidence showed the accident, but he had no leeway.
Furman's case was given a new attorney to help defend him. Furman appealed his case because of cruel and unusual punishment. This case violated his Eight Amendment rights because the case had many flaws against Furman's race, his case was random, and it was unfair because of the condition him and his life was in. If he was educated and white, his chances of not going to the death penalty would have been higher. Also, there have been studies that show random cases go to the death penalty, because there were similar cases to Furman's that only received prison.
Furman was still sentenced to death. His appeal did not succeed in saving his life because of the courts unfairness. His case was the first one that violated the Constitutional Rights. Many years later, the Supreme Court voted and ruled the reverse of his case; that his sentencing to death was cruel and unusual punishment.
Furman v. Georgia." Supreme Court Drama. Ed. Elizabeth M. Shaw. UXL-Thomson Gale, 2001. eNotes.com. 2006. 12 Apr, 2011
Furman v. georgia. (2011). Retrieved from http://law.jrank.org/pages/12834/Furman-v-Georgia.html
Major death penalty cases in the us supreme court. (2008, October 6). Retrieved from http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=001769
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Death Penalty Facts
The death penalty has been around since the Eighteenth Century using execution ways such as drowning and beating to death. Many changes have also occurred throughout the time the death penalty has been around such as, the execution methods and what states or countries choose to invest in use of the death penalty. Britain influenced the United States' use of the death penalty more than anyone else. the United States today, there are 34 states that are for the death penalty, while 16 of the states are against.
There have been more than 1200 executions since the 1970's and in 2011 there have been 11, so far. All races are have been either executed or victimized in cases involving the death penalty. Research shows, there are more black suspects that have been put to death over any other race, but whites are the highest race who are victims that have been murdered. Also, there have been 61 women who have been executed in the United States.
Texas stands as the number one on the list of states that carry out executions. All of the states are using lethal injection as their method of execution. This method is painless, yet quick, for the criminals. The death penalty is the ultimate punishment for those who commit capital crimes, such as murder. When sentenced to the death penalty it requires a lengthy process, which requires a mass amount of money. Giving a criminal the death penalty costs a lot more than keeping a person in jail for life.
*All information used from 1976-2011
Death penalty cost. (2008, July 1). Retrieved from http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/death-penalty-facts/death-penalty-cost/page.do?id=1101084
Death penalty information center. (2011, April 11). Retrieved from http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/FactSheet.pdf
Statistics. (2011, January). Retrieved from http://www.antideathpenalty.org/statistics.html
There have been more than 1200 executions since the 1970's and in 2011 there have been 11, so far. All races are have been either executed or victimized in cases involving the death penalty. Research shows, there are more black suspects that have been put to death over any other race, but whites are the highest race who are victims that have been murdered. Also, there have been 61 women who have been executed in the United States.
Texas stands as the number one on the list of states that carry out executions. All of the states are using lethal injection as their method of execution. This method is painless, yet quick, for the criminals. The death penalty is the ultimate punishment for those who commit capital crimes, such as murder. When sentenced to the death penalty it requires a lengthy process, which requires a mass amount of money. Giving a criminal the death penalty costs a lot more than keeping a person in jail for life.
*All information used from 1976-2011
Death penalty cost. (2008, July 1). Retrieved from http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/death-penalty-facts/death-penalty-cost/page.do?id=1101084
Death penalty information center. (2011, April 11). Retrieved from http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/FactSheet.pdf
Statistics. (2011, January). Retrieved from http://www.antideathpenalty.org/statistics.html
Monday, March 28, 2011
Bruno Richard Hauptmann
Bruno Hauptmann was a man who was found guilty of the kidnapping and killing of a young boy, Charles Lindbergh Jr. All throughout his trial, there were many flaws that were not considered toward Hauptmann to try and prove him innocent. Charles Jr. was a 20 month year old child who was kidnapped on the night of March 1, 1932 in Hopewell, New Jersey, from his own bedroom. There had been a handwritten letter left by forced open widow. The note requested $50,000 to be given to the kidnappers in return for the baby. There was a ladder that was left by the window, with a broken step. Also, investigators found a set of two footprints that were left in the mud beside the house.
The money had been given to the kidnapper, a person known as John, and in return they had given the location to where the baby was; on a boat between Horseneck Beach and near Elizabeth Island. Lindbergh flew around trying to find the boat, but there was no luck. Soon after, a couple truck drivers had discovered the body of the baby, who had been dead since the night of the kidnapping buy the condition he was in. The police had no leads except for the ransom money. One was cashed, which lead police to Hauptmann. Hauptmann said that a man, Fish, had given him the money. Soon after, he was accused of the murder and kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr.
The whole case had many flaws in it. Hauptmann pleaded his innocence throughout the case, but the court sought differently. The evidence had been tampered with. The police had found two sets of footprints in the yard, but only said they had found one set in court. The ladder that was found by the baby's window was also different than that of the scenes. Hauptmann had an attorney, Reilly, who had an interest in Lindbergh and was on his side. Reilly had concluded that there was no way that the kidnapping could have taken place by just one person, but did not mention that to the court. Hauptmann's appeals to his case were denied, and the attempts to prove him guilty were not looked into.
The jury found Hauptmann guilty. He was then sentenced to the death penalty. Hauptmann was executed on April 3, 1936 by the electric chair. He stuck to his innocence and would not budge, even being offered money for his family or any other bribes. Still today people wonder whether Hauptmann was innocent or not.
Hunterdon County Democrat, . (n.d.). Crime of the century. Retrieved from http://www.nj.com/lindbergh/
Linder, D. (2000). The bruno hauptmann trial: a cronology. Retrieved from http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Hauptmann/chrono.html
Linder, D. (2002, February). The trial of bruno hauptmann. Retrieved from http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/trials26.htm
The money had been given to the kidnapper, a person known as John, and in return they had given the location to where the baby was; on a boat between Horseneck Beach and near Elizabeth Island. Lindbergh flew around trying to find the boat, but there was no luck. Soon after, a couple truck drivers had discovered the body of the baby, who had been dead since the night of the kidnapping buy the condition he was in. The police had no leads except for the ransom money. One was cashed, which lead police to Hauptmann. Hauptmann said that a man, Fish, had given him the money. Soon after, he was accused of the murder and kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr.
The whole case had many flaws in it. Hauptmann pleaded his innocence throughout the case, but the court sought differently. The evidence had been tampered with. The police had found two sets of footprints in the yard, but only said they had found one set in court. The ladder that was found by the baby's window was also different than that of the scenes. Hauptmann had an attorney, Reilly, who had an interest in Lindbergh and was on his side. Reilly had concluded that there was no way that the kidnapping could have taken place by just one person, but did not mention that to the court. Hauptmann's appeals to his case were denied, and the attempts to prove him guilty were not looked into.
The jury found Hauptmann guilty. He was then sentenced to the death penalty. Hauptmann was executed on April 3, 1936 by the electric chair. He stuck to his innocence and would not budge, even being offered money for his family or any other bribes. Still today people wonder whether Hauptmann was innocent or not.
Hunterdon County Democrat, . (n.d.). Crime of the century. Retrieved from http://www.nj.com/lindbergh/
Linder, D. (2000). The bruno hauptmann trial: a cronology. Retrieved from http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Hauptmann/chrono.html
Linder, D. (2002, February). The trial of bruno hauptmann. Retrieved from http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/trials26.htm
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Illinois Abolishes the Death Penalty
Illinois has recently, within the month of March, abolished the death penalty. Illinois is the 16th state who has given up the death penalty for a punishment to criminals. There has been more than a dozen people who were put to death, then found to be innocent afterward; this is what took them over the edge. Governor Quinn stated, "Since our experience has shown that there is no way to design a perfect death penalty system, free from the numerous flaws that can lead to wrongful convictions or discriminatory treatment, I have concluded that the proper course of action is to abolish it", as he signed a bill to abolish capital punishment. Not only did Quinn abolish the death penalty, he saved 15 death row inmates from receiving it, in which they were supposed to. They still serve life in prison.
The state of Illinois also declared that they will be saving money buy getting rid of the death penalty all together. This gives the state more money to be put into other criminal facilities, or for any other use that they have in mind. Governor Quinn recognized the families who lost innocent love ones due to the death penalty. He also said that he would never bring back the death penalty or any form of the death penalty. The bill does not actually go into effect until July 1, 2011, but until then, Gov. Quinn will commute the sentence of anyone who is supposed to receive the death penalty between now and then.
There had been no executions carried out since 1999 due to a ten year moratorium that was put into effect in 2000. The legislature passed the bill in January, to abolish the death penalty in Illinois, but Gov. Quinn had spent two months after reflecting the decision between others and himself. Many agree with his decision and say it was only a matter of time for this to happen. It saves the innocent, but doesn't let the guilty off easy. Criminal charges still come into effect, just not to the extent of the death penalty.
Evans, B. (2011, March 9). Illinois has abolished the death penalty. Retrieved from http://blog.amnestyusa.org/deathpenalty/illinois-has-abolished-the-death-penalty/
Illinois abolishes the death penalty. (2011, March 10). Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/illinois-abolishes-death-penalty-2011-03-10
NPR Staff and Wires, . (2011, March 9). Illinois abolishes the death penalty. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2011/03/09/134394946/illinois-abolishes-death-penalty
The state of Illinois also declared that they will be saving money buy getting rid of the death penalty all together. This gives the state more money to be put into other criminal facilities, or for any other use that they have in mind. Governor Quinn recognized the families who lost innocent love ones due to the death penalty. He also said that he would never bring back the death penalty or any form of the death penalty. The bill does not actually go into effect until July 1, 2011, but until then, Gov. Quinn will commute the sentence of anyone who is supposed to receive the death penalty between now and then.
There had been no executions carried out since 1999 due to a ten year moratorium that was put into effect in 2000. The legislature passed the bill in January, to abolish the death penalty in Illinois, but Gov. Quinn had spent two months after reflecting the decision between others and himself. Many agree with his decision and say it was only a matter of time for this to happen. It saves the innocent, but doesn't let the guilty off easy. Criminal charges still come into effect, just not to the extent of the death penalty.
Evans, B. (2011, March 9). Illinois has abolished the death penalty. Retrieved from http://blog.amnestyusa.org/deathpenalty/illinois-has-abolished-the-death-penalty/
Illinois abolishes the death penalty. (2011, March 10). Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/illinois-abolishes-death-penalty-2011-03-10
NPR Staff and Wires, . (2011, March 9). Illinois abolishes the death penalty. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2011/03/09/134394946/illinois-abolishes-death-penalty
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Hilton Crawford
Hilton Crawford was sentenced to death on July 24, 1995 due to the crime of capital murder. He had committed the kidnapping and killing of a 12 year-old boy, one year earlier. The young boy's name was Samuel McKay Everett. Crawford was not just a random person, but happened to be a family friend of the Everett's.
One evening in 1995, Sam's parents had been out for a meeting and left Sam home alone. Crawford was also supposed to attend the same meeting, but never showed. After a little while, Crawford made an appearance at the Everett's home. Sam suspected nothing, so he opened up the door. He had considered to Hilton as Uncle Hilty.
During the night, Sam's parents tried to call, but there was no answer. Due to this, his father, Carl, drove home to see if everything was fine. It was then, he found no sign of Sam and the door to their home cracked open. While Carl was home, a women called the house and demanded $500,000 in exchange for the safe return of their son. The only lead the police had on this case was a neighbor of the Everett's saw a car quickly pull in the drive way and leave that night. The car was described similar to Crawford's, and when searched, found a small portion of blood in the trunk. This blood did not prevail that Sam was murdered but, the police had their suspect. Soon after, Crawford drew a map to the location of Sam in Whiskey Bay, Louisiana. There they had found Sam's body, which had shown he had been shot twice in the head.
Police were able to see what Crawford was up too that night because of his credit card transactions. This case was solved rarely quick. Crawford had tried to accuse another person for the actual murder, R.L. Remmington. Police investigated, but could not find this man nor find anything about him. So they concluded that Remmington was not real. Finally, in the year of 2003, Crawford had been executed by lethal injection for this tragic murder of a young boy. Also, Irene Flores, who was the voice on the phone, received 25 years in jail. Crawford was one of the older people in Texas, age 64, to be executed by the death penalty.
Carson , D. (2003, July 3). Hilton crawford. Retrieved from http://www.txexecutions.org/reports/306.asp
Death row facts. (2011, January 4). Retrieved from http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm
Facts of crime. (2003, June 27). Retrieved from https://www.oag.state.tx.us/oagNews/release.php?id=57
One evening in 1995, Sam's parents had been out for a meeting and left Sam home alone. Crawford was also supposed to attend the same meeting, but never showed. After a little while, Crawford made an appearance at the Everett's home. Sam suspected nothing, so he opened up the door. He had considered to Hilton as Uncle Hilty.
During the night, Sam's parents tried to call, but there was no answer. Due to this, his father, Carl, drove home to see if everything was fine. It was then, he found no sign of Sam and the door to their home cracked open. While Carl was home, a women called the house and demanded $500,000 in exchange for the safe return of their son. The only lead the police had on this case was a neighbor of the Everett's saw a car quickly pull in the drive way and leave that night. The car was described similar to Crawford's, and when searched, found a small portion of blood in the trunk. This blood did not prevail that Sam was murdered but, the police had their suspect. Soon after, Crawford drew a map to the location of Sam in Whiskey Bay, Louisiana. There they had found Sam's body, which had shown he had been shot twice in the head.
Police were able to see what Crawford was up too that night because of his credit card transactions. This case was solved rarely quick. Crawford had tried to accuse another person for the actual murder, R.L. Remmington. Police investigated, but could not find this man nor find anything about him. So they concluded that Remmington was not real. Finally, in the year of 2003, Crawford had been executed by lethal injection for this tragic murder of a young boy. Also, Irene Flores, who was the voice on the phone, received 25 years in jail. Crawford was one of the older people in Texas, age 64, to be executed by the death penalty.
Carson , D. (2003, July 3). Hilton crawford. Retrieved from http://www.txexecutions.org/reports/306.asp
Death row facts. (2011, January 4). Retrieved from http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm
Facts of crime. (2003, June 27). Retrieved from https://www.oag.state.tx.us/oagNews/release.php?id=57
Sunday, February 27, 2011
China's Death Penalty
China is one of the many countries, other than the United States, that practices the death penalty. China’s death penalty differs from ours in many ways though. Lethal injection was brought to their attention, while in some cases, firearms can still be used. China carries out the most executions than any other country in the world. The death penalty could be sentenced to a person for crimes that, in our eyes, are minor; crimes dealing with taxes and bribery. The Chinese death penalty system has zero tolerance and is used in many cases of crime. For example, Xu Shuangfu, gave a confession after he was beaten, shocked, and had gas, along with hot pepper, forced up his nose. Those kinds of actions are inhumane to us in the United States, but are a method for China.
There was a recent amendment passed in China that exempted thirteen crimes which could not result in the death penalty anymore, taking out the minor crimes. When a criminal breaks one of China’s laws, and is sentenced to death, the whole process is very fast. Trials can take less than an hour and after convicted, they are executed shortly after. The Chinese people barley has a right to an attorney, and no leeway is given to them whatsoever. As for the United States, when a person is sentenced to the death penalty, many steps have to be taken, which is a lengthy process and could take up to many years. The People’s Republic of China has not reduced their crime list for the death penalty since 1979, so this is huge for the Chinese people. This amendment will save many lives for crimes that are minor, but there are still consequences for these actions, such as imprisonment.
The thirteen exempt crimes are economic-related but are considered to be non-violent offences: including smuggling cultural relics, gold, silver, and other precious metals and rare animals and their products out of the country; carrying out fraudulent activities with financial bills; carrying out fraudulent activities with letters of credit; the false issuance of exclusive value-added tax invoices to defraud export tax refunds or to offset taxes; the forging or selling of forged exclusive value-added tax invoices; the teaching of crime-committing methods; and robbing ancient cultural ruins. In addition to these crimes, a person who is older than 75 years of age cannot be executed, along with people who are under 18 and women who are pregnant. Even though China is putting more leeway into the death penalty, imprisonment is becoming stronger.
China death penalty. (2007-2011). Retrieved from http://www.mahalo.com/china-death-penalty/
The death penalty in china. (2008, March 25). Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.org.au/china/comments/10960/
Xinhua, Initials. (2011, February 25). China exempts 13 crimes from death penalty. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-02/25/content_12081299.htm
There was a recent amendment passed in China that exempted thirteen crimes which could not result in the death penalty anymore, taking out the minor crimes. When a criminal breaks one of China’s laws, and is sentenced to death, the whole process is very fast. Trials can take less than an hour and after convicted, they are executed shortly after. The Chinese people barley has a right to an attorney, and no leeway is given to them whatsoever. As for the United States, when a person is sentenced to the death penalty, many steps have to be taken, which is a lengthy process and could take up to many years. The People’s Republic of China has not reduced their crime list for the death penalty since 1979, so this is huge for the Chinese people. This amendment will save many lives for crimes that are minor, but there are still consequences for these actions, such as imprisonment.
The thirteen exempt crimes are economic-related but are considered to be non-violent offences: including smuggling cultural relics, gold, silver, and other precious metals and rare animals and their products out of the country; carrying out fraudulent activities with financial bills; carrying out fraudulent activities with letters of credit; the false issuance of exclusive value-added tax invoices to defraud export tax refunds or to offset taxes; the forging or selling of forged exclusive value-added tax invoices; the teaching of crime-committing methods; and robbing ancient cultural ruins. In addition to these crimes, a person who is older than 75 years of age cannot be executed, along with people who are under 18 and women who are pregnant. Even though China is putting more leeway into the death penalty, imprisonment is becoming stronger.
China death penalty. (2007-2011). Retrieved from http://www.mahalo.com/china-death-penalty/
The death penalty in china. (2008, March 25). Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.org.au/china/comments/10960/
Xinhua, Initials. (2011, February 25). China exempts 13 crimes from death penalty. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-02/25/content_12081299.htm
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