Death Penalty Abolition News

by rdunham on May 22, 2019 at 10:55 pm

Two foreign nationals who were sentenced to death in unrelated cases will receive new trials after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals of lower court rulings overturning their convictions. Jose Echavarria (pictured, left), a Nevada prisoner […]

by rdunham on May 21, 2019 at 10:43 pm

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a case in which the Texas courts decided a death-row prisoner’s appeal by adopting the prosecution’s fact findings and legal arguments word-for-word without providing the defendant’s […]

by rdunham on May 20, 2019 at 8:50 pm

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has drawn criticism for denying clemency and presiding over the execution of Michael Samra (pictured) on May 16, 2019, one day after issuing a statement calling Alabama a pro-life state and declaring life “precious” and […]

by aholsinger on May 17, 2019 at 2:50 pm

In the latest episode of the Discussions with DPIC podcast, Emmy- and Oscar-winner Edward Zwick speaks about his new movie, Trial By Fire. The film, which Zwick co-produced and directed, tells the story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was […]

by Kristin on May 1, 2019 at 3:07 pm

In this edition of our monthly alert, you'll find details on a new film about the true Texas story of Cameron Todd Willingham, as well as coverage of two recent reports, the debut novel of attorney David R. Dow, and the stay of execution for Dexter Johnson. […]

by Kristin on May 1, 2019 at 2:13 pm

A federal judge has stayed the execution of Dexter Johnson, scheduled for May 2, after determining his newly-appointed lawyer needed more time to review the case and investigate any undeveloped claims. […]

by Kristin on April 25, 2019 at 3:12 pm

Last night, April 24, 2019, the State of Texas executed John William King after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his request for a stay. He was put to death for his role in the racially-motivated dragging death of James Byrd, Jr. in 1998. Earlier in the week, a […]

by Kristin on April 23, 2019 at 3:17 pm

Yesterday, Monday, April 22, 2019, a divided Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) denied John William King’s application for a writ of habeas corpus and motion for a stay of execution based on a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.  The Texas Board of […]

on May 14, 2019 at 3:55 pm

The end of March saw a first of its kind awareness-building workshop in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia for the permanent French-speaking members to the African Union. […]

on May 14, 2019 at 2:26 pm

The 64th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) is concluding in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. The ACHPR, the African Union organ steadfast in promoting and protecting human rights on the African continent, held the […]

on May 13, 2019 at 4:51 pm

On the occasion of the 30th session of the Arab League Summit, which took place in Tunis from 26 to 31 March 2019 and brought together 21 Arab delegations, a parallel counter-summit, organized by civil society, was held to address the issue of human rights […]

on May 13, 2019 at 4:38 pm

Tunisian Coalition Against the Death Penalty […]

by James Clark on November 4, 2016 at 4:29 pm

At a recent public debate of California’s competing ballot initiatives on the death penalty, Paul Pfingst, a former district attorney for San Diego County and a supporter of Prop 66, spoke about the role race plays in the death penalty. … Please […]

by James Clark on September 21, 2016 at 2:00 pm

Troy was on death row for over two decades before he was finally executed. In that time he became a leader himself in the movement to end the death penalty, with his steadfast spirit and unshakeable faith in justice inspiring activists around the world. […]

by Guest Writer on September 21, 2016 at 2:00 pm

By Savannah Fox, Field Organizer Five years ago today, on September 21st, I became an activist. I didn’t sign my first petition or attended my first rally. I found my passion, my anger and my hope as an activist, all … Please continue reading. […]

by James Clark on August 17, 2016 at 9:41 pm

As death sentences and executions dwindle around the country and most states are abandoning the death penalty, a few states are determined to keep executions rolling. Top of the list is Texas, the state that’s now gearing up to execute a man who never […]