Tag

Death Penalty

All articles tagged with #death penalty

UN rights chief warns Israel's Palestinian death-penalty bill could be a war crime
world10 days ago

UN rights chief warns Israel's Palestinian death-penalty bill could be a war crime

The UN's Volker Türk condemned Israel's Knesset-passed bill to make the death penalty the default for Palestinians in the West Bank for deadly attacks, noting it would breach international law and could amount to a war crime if applied to residents of the occupied territories. The proposal drew broad international condemnation as discriminatory, setting up a two-tier justice system and fast-tracked executions; it faces legal challenges at home and would empower military courts to impose death sentences with stringent restrictions and a 90-day execution window.

Defense seeks delay in Charlie Kirk shooting case amid ballistic review
crime10 days ago

Defense seeks delay in Charlie Kirk shooting case amid ballistic review

Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, charged with aggravated murder in Charlie Kirk’s Utah shooting, have asked to push back the May preliminary hearing to allow time for reviewing extensive discovery and a ballistic analysis that could affect his defense. The ATF bullet-fragment analysis reportedly cannot conclusively link the fragment to the rifle, and the FBI is conducting additional tests. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty, while Robinson has not yet entered a plea; a separate April 17 hearing will address a motion to ban cameras from the courtroom.

Israel votes to set death penalty as default for West Bank attackers
world11 days ago

Israel votes to set death penalty as default for West Bank attackers

Israel's parliament approved a law making the death penalty the default for West Bank Palestinians convicted of deadly nationalist attacks, with hanging to be carried out within 90 days (potentially extendable to 180 days) and some Israeli citizens facing similar charges; rights groups call the bill discriminatory and it drew international condemnation.

Israel approves death-penalty default for Palestinians in lethal attacks, drawing global backlash
world11 days ago

Israel approves death-penalty default for Palestinians in lethal attacks, drawing global backlash

Israel’s Knesset passed a law making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of fatal attacks by military courts in the occupied West Bank, with executions to be carried out by hanging within 90 days of sentencing and limited avenues for appeal; the measure, backed by hard-right parties, drew sharp condemnation from UN experts, the EU and several Western governments over concerns it breaches international law and discriminates against Palestinians, though supporters say it strengthens deterrence and national security. The law can still be reviewed by Israel’s Supreme Court.

world12 days ago

Four European powers urge Israel to scrap death-penalty bill

Foreign ministers from Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom urged Israel to abandon a bill expanding the death penalty, warning it would be discriminatory and undermine democratic principles as it faces a Knesset vote; the bill would punish terrorists with execution, allow non-unanimous verdicts, and require hangings with executions within 90 days.

Iran carries out first January-protest executions, including teen wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
world22 days ago

Iran carries out first January-protest executions, including teen wrestler Saleh Mohammadi

Iran hanged three men in Qom, including Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old wrestling champion, for their alleged role in the killing of two police officers during January protests; rights groups say the trials were unfair and confessions were coerced, marking the first executions tied to the nationwide demonstrations and raising concerns of potential mass hangings amid regional tensions.

Texas Death Row Inmate Apologizes to Victims’ Family in Final Moments
crime1 month ago

Texas Death Row Inmate Apologizes to Victims’ Family in Final Moments

Cedric Ricks, condemned for the 2013 killings of his ex-girlfriend Roxann Sanchez and her 8-year-old son Anthony Figueroa, was executed by lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit. In his last words he addressed the surviving Marcus Figueroa, apologized for taking Roxann and Anthony from the family, and asked for forgiveness, while his appeals and clemency requests had been denied.

Alabama Gov. Ivey Commutes Death Sentence for Non-Shooter Inmate
politics1 month ago

Alabama Gov. Ivey Commutes Death Sentence for Non-Shooter Inmate

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commuted 75-year-old Charles 'Sonny' Burton's death sentence to life without parole after determining he wasn't the shooter in the 1991 AutoZone killing; Derrick DeBruce fired the fatal shot. Burton was scheduled for execution by nitrogen gas, and the clemency marks Ivey's second death-penalty clemency since taking office in 2017. Supporters and jurors argued it would be unjust to execute Burton when the actual shooter faced a different fate.

Alabama set to execute man who wasn’t present at the murder, prompting clemency push
crime1 month ago

Alabama set to execute man who wasn’t present at the murder, prompting clemency push

Alabama plans to execute 75-year-old Charles “Sonny” Burton by nitrogen gas for a 1991 Talladega AutoZone robbery-murder, even though he left the store before the shooting and did not witness it; supporters urge clemency arguing the shooter received life and Burton’s conviction rests on participation in the felony, while Gov. Ivey has not indicated any intervention; the case highlights Alabama’s ongoing use of nitrogen hypoxia in executions.