The statement “preaching to the choir” had double meaning Feb. 6 at the Washington National Cathedral where religious leaders spoke against the death penalty and members of the Washington National Opera sang arias from the “Dead Man Walking” opera.
‘Dead Man Walking’ opera comes to Washington
Supreme Court examines mental ability standards for death penalty
In the second death penalty case before the Supreme Court this term, the justices were asked to consider if the state of Texas used accurate standards to measure intellectual ability to determine if a person can be executed.
Supreme Court examines if racial bias played role in death sentence
In the first week of its new term, the Supreme Court reviewed the extent that racial bias might have played in a 1995 death penalty sentence.
Use of death penalty re-examined in the states, at Supreme Court
The United States, with its mixed record on the death penalty, is about to take a closer look at the issue this fall with two cases before the Supreme Court and three referendums on state ballots in the November election.
New Mexico’s bishops reject governor’s plan to reinstate death penalty
The Catholic bishops of New Mexico in an Aug. 18 statement said they oppose Republican Gov. Susana Martinez’s plan to reinstate the death penalty and called on the Legislature to reject it.
Sister Helen Prejean recounts early years in fight against death penalty
ANAHEIM, Calif. (CNS) — “They killed a man with fire one night. They strapped him in a wooden chair and pumped electricity through his body until […]
Death penalty limbo: Supreme Court, states give laws another look
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The death penalty in the United States is repeatedly getting hit by the pause button — which doesn’t mean it is going away […]
Supreme Court rules Florida’s death penalty system unconstitutional
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 12 said the state of Florida’s death penalty system is unconstitutional because it allows judges, rather than juries, […]