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| Death sentences, executions take 'historic drop,' report says |
| By thegrio.com |
| Published: 12/18/2011 |
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The number of death sentences imposed in the U.S. has taken an "historic drop" -- about 75 percent -- over the last 15 years, accompanied by a nearly 60 percent decline in the number of executions, a death penalty awareness group reported Thursday. The release of the annual report by the Death Penalty Information Center follows recent polls showing a withering of support for capital punishment over controversial cases like that of Troy Davis, who was executed in Georgia in September. The decline in the use of the death penalty also has likely been influenced by states' worsening financial conditions, said Richard Dieter, the center's executive director. Capital punishment was imposed in 78 cases this year, down from 315 in 1996 -- the first time that number was below 100 since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, the report said. There were also 43 executions -- including that of Davis -- in 13 states, down from 98 in 1999, according to the report. "This is a historic drop in death sentences and I think it's indicative of deep concerns about the death penalty in the public and it's mirrored in falling executions, falling support in polls and even in legislation which has abolished the death penalty in a number of states," Dieter said. Dieter was referring to the abandonment of the death penalty in Illinois, New Mexico, New Jersey and New York in recent years. Three other states -- California, Connecticut and Maryland - are considering doing away with capital punishment, he said, and Oregon's governor recently declared a moratorium on executions during his tenure. Read More. |
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Why the drop in death sentences? A huge drop in capital murders. 2. Nationally Murders are at a 43 year low. Murder rates are at a 48 year low. It's not surprising that death sentences are at a 35 year low. When you combine the tremendous murder drop, with the huge drop in rapes and robberies, we find there would be an even larger reduction, in both rate and numbers, of capital murders in the state, as the combinations of rape/murders and robbery/murders, makes up, by far, the largest percentage of death penalty eligible murders. looking at 1991 & 2010, nationally, we also find the huge drops in murders, rapes and robberies, as with the source http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm NOTE: The Disaster Center has, always, been an accurate and convenient source for crime references. Their data comes directly from the FBI, Uniform Crime Reports 1) Murders in Texas by year by number by rate 1991 2652 15.3 2010 1249 5 53% drop in murders 67% drop in rate When you combine the tremendous murder drop, with the huge drop in rapes and robberies, we find there would be an even larger reduction, in both rate and numbers, of capital murders in the state, as the combinations of rape/murders and robbery/murders, makes up, by far, the largest percentage of death penalty eligible murders. A huge drop in death sentences reflects a huge drop in capital murders. source http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/txcrime.htm 3. An always reliable source sent this to me. I haven't fact checked it, but it seems consistent with the FBI reviews. Check the BJS stats From 2000-2009 there were 26% MORE executions nationwide than in the corresponding decade 1990-99 In the same period there were 22% FEWER "willful homicides" in the US