Spate of high-profile US death penalty cases fuels public outrage and anger

Concerns rise over whether executions can be done ‘fairly and accurately’ as condemned prisoners make credible claims of innocence

A spate of high-profile death penalty cases in 2024 have prompted an unprecedented outburst of public anger and frustration, as several condemned prisoners with credible claims of innocence have fought their pending executions in the court of public opinion.

Profound qualms about the reliability of death sentences have been raised over a number of disturbing cases this year. They include that of Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams, killed by Missouri through lethal injection in September despite critical doubts around the strength of his conviction and a massive public protest culminating in a petition signed by 1.5 million people.

Topics

Why Luigi Mangione's federal charges could lead to death penalty

Luigi Mangione is now detained in New York after his extradition from Pennsylvania. This comes as more details emerge about the federal charges he is now facing in connection to the killing of ...
CBS News - 1d
Will feds seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione in UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting case?

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is now facing new federal charges of stalking and murder, which could bring the death penalty if convicted. CBS ...
CBS News - 1d
U.S. Files Murder Charge Against Mangione That Could Bring Death Penalty

Federal authorities filed a total of four counts against Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare.
The New York Times - 2d
Zimbabwe's president once faced the death penalty and is now set to abolish it

Zimbabwe’s senate has approved a bill to abolish the death penalty and it is now set to be signed into law by the president
ABC News - Dec. 12
Iranian women could face death penalty for defying new morality laws

Execution, long jail terms and big fines for ‘promoting’ nudity, unveiling or improper dressing come into force. Women in Iran could face the death sentence or up to 15 years in prison if they defy ...
The Guardian - Dec. 11
Arizona AG panders on the death penalty

It is a serious mistake for Arizona to restart the machinery of death and for other states to cling to capital punishment.
The Hill - Dec. 9
In Romanian Village, Anger Fuels Support for Ultranationalist ‘Messiah’

A presidential election has been called off, but the discontent that propelled the surging campaign of a rightist firebrand rages on.
The New York Times - Dec. 8
Brian Thompson’s killing sparks outrage over state of US healthcare

Americans turn to social media to discuss dire experiences at hands of health insurance companies . In the aftermath of the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson , while Thompson’s ...
The Guardian - Dec. 5
An Italian man gets life in prison for killing ex-girlfriend in case that fueled national outrage

A 22-year-old Italian man who confessed in court to killing his ex-girlfriend was convicted of her murder on Tuesday and sentenced to life in prison in a case that fueled national outrage over ...
ABC News - Dec. 3