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The first legal execution.
The execution of Mr. Daniel Frank for theft in Virginia. -
Period: to
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
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Private Hangings
Rhode Island is the first to require private hangings. This new rule was enacted because of chaotic crowds. -
Record High
Executions reached an all-time high at 199. -
Unconstotutional
Death or life imprisonment upon conviction of Murder, was deemed unconstitutional.The practical effect of the decision was to strike down existing statutes in all states, and removing approximately 629 inmates from death row. -
Re-constitutional
1976 The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Gregg v. Georgia and Jurek v. Texas that a death sentence is not a per se violation of the 8th Amendment, and that where the jury is given guided discretion through aggravating and mitigating circumstances focusing on the particularized nature of the crime and the character of offender, the death penalty no longer violates the Eighth Amendment in application. -
Paula Cooper
Paula Cooper is convicted in the 1985 torture murder and robbery of a 78 year old Bible teacher in Lake County and sentenced to death. She is 15 years old at the time of the murder, the youngest ever on Indiana Death Row. -
Unconstitutional to Execute The Insane
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Ford v. Wainright that it is unconstitutional to execute the insane. -
Mentally Retarded
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Penry v. Lynaugh, that executing mentally retarded persons does not violate the Eighth Amendment -
All Time High
Support for the death penalty reaches an all time high. Gallup Poll shows nationwide death penalty support at 80% -
Mentally Retarded
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Atkins v. Virginia that execution of the mentally retarded constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.While the opinion leaves open the definition of "mentally retarded," it is generally defined as having an IQ less than 70 -
Juvenile offenders
The United States Supreme Court decides Roper v. Simmons, 125 S.Ct. 1183 (Missouri 2005), holding in a 5-4 decision that executing convicted murderers who were 16 or 17 years old at the time of the murders was cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The ruling reverses existing precedent decided only a decade ago, and invalidated death penalty laws in 20 states which allow such executions.
