History of the Death Penalty

By nsifuentess06

  • First Recorded Execution in New Colonies

    In Jamestown 1608, Captain George Kendal was sentenced to death penalty. This was said to have happened because he was spying. They courted hanged him for his sentencing.

  • Cesare Beccaria Challenged the Death Penalty

    In 1767 Cesare Beccaria published an essay titled, "On Crimes and Punishment." In this essay she claims there is no way to justify the state sentencing citizens to death. This was one of the first public oppositions.

  • Michigan Makes Cuts

    Michigan abolishes the death penalty for all crimes but treason. They are the first state to do this. No one was ever excecated under law.

  • Electrocution Introduced

    William Kemmler had committed murder in 1801. For this crime he is sentenced to death and the first person to be sentenced by electrocution. This was seen as more humane than handing.

  • Ford v. Wainwright

    In Ford v. Wainwrigh, execution of insane people were banned. The court argues the 8 Amendment defended this movement. This came about as a man by the name Ford was sentenced but he was seveerly mentally ill by the day.

  • Karla Faye Tucker and Judi Buenoano

    Karla Faye Tucker and Judi Buenoano executed in 1998. She infamously murdered 2 people with a pickax in a burglary. She was the first woman since the Civil War to be sentenced to death.

  • Pope Speaks

    Pope John Paul II visits Missouri and wants an end to the death penalty. The Pope says its is morally wrong, a sin. This was an influence on many religious peoples' views.

  • New York’s death penalty law declared unconstitutional

    New York’s death penalty law declared unconstitutional by the state’s high court. The law was for inmates serving life. Specifically those who have killed officers.

  • New Mexico Repeals Death Penalty

    Governor Bill Richardson signed legislation to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico. He replaced it with life without parole. This was very controversial.

  • Illinois Repeals Death Penalty

    Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation to repeal the death penalty. He replaced it with life without parole. Even in 2011 this was incredibly controversial.