Death Penalty Abolition News

by Death Penalty Information Center on January 17, 2020 at 3:40 pm

The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has granted clemency to death-row prisoner Jimmy Meders (pictured). One day after his January 15, 2020 clemency hearing, and just six hours before his scheduled execution, the Board announced it had commuted […]

by Death Penalty Information Center on January 16, 2020 at 9:50 pm

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard nearly two hours of argument on January 15, 2020 in four consolidated cases that could determine whether the federal government will be able to resume executions in 2020. The appeals […]

by Death Penalty Information Center on January 15, 2020 at 9:05 pm

As Texas prepares to carry out the first execution of 2020 on January 15, neighboring Oklahoma — once the second most prolific executioner in the United States — will mark five years since its last execution. The states present a contrast in […]

by Death Penalty Information Center on January 14, 2020 at 9:18 pm

Just Mercy, the movie adaptation of Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Executive Director Bryan Stevenson’s book of the same name, celebrated its nationwide release on January 10, 2020 with weekend ticket sales of more than $9.7 million. The film, which […]

by Kristin on January 15, 2020 at 3:58 pm

On January 15, 2020, the State of Texas executed John Gardner for the 2005 death of his estranged wife, Tammy Gardner. Gardner, who recently turned 64 years old, reportedly had one leg and used a wheelchair. He was convicted and sentenced to death by a Collin […]

by Kristin on January 3, 2020 at 2:04 pm

In this edition of our monthly newsletter, you'll find information on the nation's first scheduled execution of the year, as well as details on upcoming film releases, the TCADP 2020 Annual Conference, and recent death penalty developments in Texas and […]

by Kristin on December 23, 2019 at 7:44 pm

On December 18, 2019, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) overturned the death sentence of Cesar Fierro, who has spent nearly 40 years on death row. He was convicted and sentenced to death in 1980 by an El Paso jury for the shooting death of Nicolas […]

by Kristin on December 17, 2019 at 5:08 am

The number of new death sentences and executions declined in 2019, according to a new report from the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP). Texas juries rejected the death penalty in 50% of the cases presented to them this year. The cases […]

on January 16, 2020 at 10:23 am

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty’s office in Paris area, France, is currently calling for web development and makeover tenders.

on January 16, 2020 at 10:21 am

The Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG) released a report in June 2019 entitled "Mapping the Fate of the Dead (Killings and Burials in North Korea)".

on January 15, 2020 at 3:37 pm

A year-end report by the Death Penalty Information Center highlights the continuing trend towards abolition with New Hampshire’s latest abolition, California’s moratorium, and the near-record low numbers of executions.

on January 13, 2020 at 2:02 pm

In November 2019, Ecuador hosted a series of high level meetings of the Organisation of American States (OAS), during which abolition of the death penalty was on the agenda.

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 […]