As the jury in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Bomber, deliberated and ultimately recommended the death penalty, more states are slowly leaning away from the death penalty. Massachusetts abolished the death penalty in 1984. However, Tsarnaev’s trial was a federal one which allows for the death penalty. Nebraska is close to becoming the next state to abolish the death penalty. A final vote was taken to abolish it on May 20. All indication is that there are enough votes to ward off any possible veto by Republican Governor Pete Ricks. What is unusual is that Nebraska is a conservative state headed by a Tea Party Republican Governor who supports the death penalty. Other recent states that moved to abolish the death penalty included Maryland in 2013, Connecticut in 2012, Illinois in 2011 and New Jersey in 2007. In all, eighteen states have abolished the death penalty with a third of those states’ banning it since 2007. Connecticut and New Hampshire round out the six … [Read more...] about Is the Death Penalty Coming to an End in America?
Boston Bomber
Why the Boston Bomber May Avoid the Death Penalty
The jury started deliberations on the death penalty phase on Wednesday in the case of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the now infamous Boston Bomber who was convicted of all 30 counts involved in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, including 17 eligible for the death penalty. His actions took the lives of three persons, including seven year old Martin Richard and severely injured 264 others. Some victims have undergone at least 60 surgeries due to their injuries. It’s difficult to imagine a more heinous crime deserving of the death penalty, Yet despite the heinous acts, Tsarnaev may receive life in prison without the possibility of parole. The prosecutor must convince all twelve jurors to sentence Dzhokhar Tsarnaevto death on a single count. If twelve agree to death on a single count, he will receive the death penalty. And that may be more of an uphill climb than most would imagine. The defense on the other hand has only to convince one person on each of the eligible counts that he … [Read more...] about Why the Boston Bomber May Avoid the Death Penalty
Why the Boston Bomber May Avoid the Death Penalty
With the first phase of the trial over for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicting him on all counts, one would think the second death penalty phase is a no brainer. Multiple reasons suggest that Tsarnaev may likely receive life without the possibility of parole. Unlike the first phase, jurors will now get to hear evidence that will show the aggravating factors which warrant the death penalty. His case is likely the most heinous crime committed in Massachusetts with four persons killed by a bomb, used as a weapon of mass destruction, including an eight year old and injuring 264 others with life permanent injuries both physical and emotional. Family members of the four deceased victims, including one police officer and many of the other many victims whose lives have been forever altered will likely testify on behalf of the prosecution. The prosecution will also likely portray his callousness in going to a Whole Foods store and the gym following the bombing. In his defense for life … [Read more...] about Why the Boston Bomber May Avoid the Death Penalty