Capital Punishment

In the second episode of the Politi-Cal Podcast, we talk about capital punishment in California. We cover the death penalty's rocky history in modern America, how the practice has changed over time, and ways to address the problems that affect it.

Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

Infographics

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Sources

Want to explore even more about capital punishment in California?
Learn straight from from the people who covered it first...

News:

California Defends Its Review Process in Appeal to Preserve Death Penalty

Erik Eckholm (The New York Times), August 31st 2015

The death penalty is about to go on trial in California. Here’s why it might lose.

Frank R. Baumgartner (The Washington Post Monkey Cage), August 5th 2015

Is capital punishment dead in California?

Sam Stanton (The Sacramento Bee), August 5th 2015

California’s Death Penalty System Ruled Unconstitutional

Edvard Pettersson & Alison Vekshin (Bloomberg), July 17th 2015

Supreme Court decision on lethal injection process triggers movement in California’s stalled executions

Brenda Gazzar (LA Daily News), June 29th 2015

Supreme Court Says Use Of Lethal Injection Drug Is Legal

Krishnadev Calamur (NPR), June 29th 2015

California death penalty: Executions could resume under high court ruling

Howard Mintz (San Jose Mercury News), June 29th 2015

The Death of the Death Penalty

David von Drehle (TIME), May 28th 2015

California death penalty: New execution method will be proposed

Howard Mintz (San Jose Mercury News), June 3rd 2015

Utah Brings Back Firing Squad Executions; Witnesses Recall The Last One

NPR Staff (NPR), April 5th 2015

California's death row, with no executions in sight, runs out of room

Paige St. John (Los Angeles Times), March 30th 2015

Timeline: Capital Punishment in California

89.3 KPCC – Southern California Public Radio

Federal judge rules California death penalty is unconstitutional

Maura Dolan (Los Angeles Times), July 16th 2014

Here are the 13 men executed by California since 1978

Evan Wagstaff (Los Angeles Times), July 16th 2014

Botched Oklahoma execution reignites death penalty debate

Lindsey Bever (The Washington Post), April 30th 2014

Charles Manson denied parole, with next parole hearing set for 2027

Michael Martinez (CNN), April 12th 2012

California judge throws out state's lethal injection procedure

Julie Small (89.3 KPCC), December 16th 2011

The Appeal of Death Row

Mary A. Fischer (The Atlantic), November 2011

Death penalty costs California $184 million a year, study says

Carol J. Williams (Los Angeles Times), June 20th 2011

California calls off murderer's execution

Emanuella Grinberg (CNN), September 29th 2010

Ban on Gas Chamber Executions Is Upheld

Henry Weinstein (Los Angeles Times), February 22nd 1996

Judge Bars Use of Gas Chamber in Executions

Dan Morain (Los Angeles Times), October 5th 1994

Death Penalty In California: Death Penalty Facts

Kristen Christopher (Los Angeles Times), January 17th 1990

Resources from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation:

History of Capital Punishment in California

Capital Punishment – Key Events

Number of Executions, 1893 to Present

Inmates Executed, 1978 to Present

Condemned Inmate List (PDF)

Condemned Inmate Summary List (PDF)

CONDEMNED INMATES WHO HAVE DIED SINCE 1978 (PDF)

Timeline of Lethal Injection Protocol Regulations (PDF)

STATE OF CALIFORNIA LETHAL INJECTION PROTOCOL REVIEW (PDF)

Court Cases:

People v. Anderson , 6 Cal.3d 628 (SCOCAL)

February 18th 1972

United States Supreme Court FURMAN v. GEORGIA, (1972) No. 69-5003 (FindLaw)

June 29th 1972

People v. Frierson , 25 Cal.3d 142 (SCOCAL)

August 31st 1979

People v. Frierson (Ballotpedia)

United States Supreme Court TROP v. DULLES,(1958) No. 70 (FindLaw)

March 31st 1958

Research, Data, & More Information:

A Victim’s Guide to the Capital Case Process (PDF)

California Attorney General, Office of Victim’s Services

Executing the Will of the Voters?: A roadmap to mend or end the California legislature's multi-billion dollar death penalty debacle

Judge Arthur L. Alarcón & Paula M. Mitchell, Loyola Los Angeles Law Review, February 1st 2011 (vol. 44, no. 3)

DPIC Summary: Executing the Will of the Voters?: A roadmap to mend or end the California legislature's multi-billion dollar death penalty debacle

Death Penalty Information Center

Voter Information Guide for 1972, General Election (PDF)

(University of California, Hastings College of Law)

California Proposition 17, Death Penalty in the California Constitution (1972) (Ballotpedia)

Voter Information Guide for 1978, General Election

(University of California, Hastings College of Law)

California Proposition 7, the Death Penalty Act (1978) (Ballotpedia)

RESTORATION OF DEATH PENALTY FAVORED BY VOTERS (PDF)

Mervin D. Field (The California Poll), October 24th 1972

States With and Without the Death Penalty

Death Penalty Information Center, July 1^st 2015

Executions is the U.S. 1608-2002: The ESPY File: Executions by State (PDF)

Death Penalty Information Center

ANNUAL ENDOWMENT REPORT: FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2014 (PDF)

University of California Office of the President

“Penitence”

Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

Questions? Comments? Corrections?

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