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 that were scheduled for execution this year underscored persistent concerns about the fairness and accuracy of Texas’s death penalty system.
Death Sentence
TCADP November 2019 Alert: Miscarriages of Justice
In this edition of our monthly newsletter, you’ll find information about the three executions scheduled by the State of Texas in November, along with requests to take action on the cases of Patrick Murphy and Rodney Reed. You’ll also find the schedule for film screenings of “The Penalty” and new resources on the death penalty.
July 2019 Alert: Still arbitrary, capricious, and discriminatory
In this edition of our monthly newsletter, you’ll find updates on exonerations in Texas and nationwide, as well as a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning a conviction due to egregious racial bias in the jury selection process. We also mark the anniversary of the Court’s decision, Gregg v. Georgia, which paved the way for the resumption of executions in this country.
National death penalty developments in 2018
On December 14, 2018, the Death Penalty Information Center released its 2018 year-end report, detailing death penalty developments across the nation. The report notes that 2018 marked the fourth consecutive year with fewer than 30 executions and less than 50 new death sentences. Other significant developments include: Use of the death penalty remained at historic […]
New report: Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2018: The Year in Review
Death sentences remained near historic low levels in Texas in 2018, yet the state’s capital punishment system is still plagued by racial bias, geographical disparities, and fundamental unfairness, according to a new report from the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP). The number of death sentences and executions in 2018 was consistent with lower use of the death penalty in Texas over the last 10 years. New death sentences remained in the single digits for the ninth time in ten years, with Texas juries condemning seven individuals to death. All seven men sentenced to death in Texas in 2018 are people of color.
TCADP March 2018 Alert: It’s time to Amplify abolition!
In this edition of our monthly e-newsletter, you’ll find information about executions and death sentences, photos from our 2018 Annual Conference, and announcements about upcoming events with Anthony Graves.
Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2016: The Year in Review
Today, TCADP released its year-end report, Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2016: The Year in Review. The report provides in-depth information on new death sentences, executions, and stays; reduced sentences; judicial developments; public opinion; and other issues affecting the administration of justice in Texas.
North Texas death penalty case updates
Important decisions in two North Texas death penalty-related cases were announced last Friday: A State District Judge in Dallas determined that John Battaglia is mentally competent to be executed, while a Tarrant County jury imposed a new death sentence for the first time in more than two years.