Alabama Evolving Stance: Alabama, a focal point in the 2023 death penalty landscape, witnessed an increase in executions, yet the overall U.S. trend showed a decline, as per a recent report by the Death Penalty Information Center.
In this year, five states carried out 24 executions, six more than the preceding year. However, this marks the ninth consecutive year with executions remaining below 30, a stark contrast to the peak of 98 in 1999 since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976 by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Alabama, among seven states issuing new death sentences this year, reported the fewest in 20 years. The Death Penalty Information Center’s annual report reveals critical insights into execution trends and policies.
Alabama conducted executions, including James Barber and Casey McWhorter, using lethal injection. Notably, the next execution, scheduled for January, employs a unique methodnitrogen hypoxia. Texas led executions with eight, followed by Florida with six, and Oklahoma and Missouri with four each. The use of lethal injection remained the sole method across all 24 executions.
In terms of new death sentences, the national count was 21. Florida topped the list with five, trailed by California with four, and Alabama and Texas with three each. These statistics, combined with the federal court system issuing one new death sentence, portray the evolving landscape.
Alabama, boasting 167 inmates on death row, ranks fourth nationally. Only California (665), Florida (313), and Texas (192) surpass Alabama’s count. The report underscores the disparity, with Alabama’s death row population exceeding Georgia’s, Mississippi’s, and Tennessee’s combined.
Also Read: Alabama and Texas Execute Convicted Murderers: by Lethal Injection
The report includes findings from an annual Gallup survey indicating a shift in public perception. For the first time, more Americans (50%) believe the death penalty is carried out unfairly than fairly (47%). Robin M. Maher, DPIC’s executive director, emphasizes the changing sentiment, reflecting in support from conservative lawmakers opposing the death penalty.
With 29 states either abolishing or pausing the death penalty, the Gallup survey echoes a nuanced perspective. While a majority (53%) still supports the death penalty for murder, it marks the lowest since 1972, contrasting the peak at 80% in 1994.
The survey also reveals a stark partisan divide, with 68% of Republicans viewing the death penalty as fair compared to 28% of Democrats. The overall support for the death penalty among Republicans (81%) surpasses Democrats (32%) and independents (51%).
Three death row inmates were exonerated this year, totaling 195 since 1973. The report recalls the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1972 invalidation of death penalty laws, reinstated in 1976, and notes the court’s limited stays of execution.
Alabama’s presence in the report extends to high-profile cases, including the mention of Toforest Johnson. Additionally, the report highlights legislative changes in Florida, echoing Alabama’s practice of allowing the death penalty with less than a unanimous jury decision.
Key quotes from 2023, including an op-ed by former Alabama governors Don Siegelman and Robert Bentley, express regret about their handling of death penalty cases. The governors advocate for current officials to reconsider their stance, showcasing a broader reevaluation of capital punishment policies.
Our Reader’s Queries
What side of the Civil War was Alabama on?
In 1861, Alabama left the Union and became part of the Confederate States of America, which set up its first capital in Montgomery.
What was the Supreme Court decision on Alabama?
After our legal challenge, the Supreme Court in Allen v. Milligan upheld the trial court’s decision to reject Alabama’s 2021 map for unfairly reducing the influence of Black Alabamians in violation of the Voting Rights Act. This outcome demands a new map to be drawn.
How did Alabama contribute to the Confederacy during the Civil War?
Alabama played a crucial role in providing soldiers, commanders, military equipment, provisions, rations, and livestock.
When was Alabama readmitted to the Union?
During the summer of 1868, seven ex-Confederate states–Alabama (July 13, 1868), Arkansas (June 22, 1868), Florida (June 25, 1868), Georgia* (July 21, 1868), Louisiana (July 9, 1868), North Carolina (July 4, 1868), and South Carolina (July 9, 1868)–are accepted back into the Union.