-
The First Known Execution
Captain George Kendall is said to be the first known execution in the United States in December of 1607. Captain Kendall was shot by a firing squad because he was accused of sowing discord, mutiny and for spying. (Green,2012) -
Second Known Execution
Although there is contradicting information stating that Daniel Frank was the first man to be executed, he was infact the second man to be executed in the United States. Daniel committed theft and that is what he was punished for. -
Private Hangings
Public executions started getting really rowdy. People would act chaotic and very violent when attending hangings. In order to change this from reoccuring Rhode Island became the first state to require private hangings. New York follows the same rule and does it in 1835. (Stewart) -
Electric Chair Execution
William Kemmler who committed murder was the first person executed in the electric chair on August 6, 1890 at New York's Auburn Prison. New York was the first state to adopt this method of executions. (Stewart) -
Manson and Followers Convicted
Charles Manson and three of his followers were found guilty on this date after having a trial that lasted for 9 months. They were sentenced to death. However their death setences turned into life sentences because California Court holds the death penalty unconstitutional. (Stewart) -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is ratified, including the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits the imposition of cruel and unusual punishment. However the death penalty was still universally accepted and it is understood at the time that the Eighth Amendment was not intended to stop it. (Stewart) -
Different Degrees of Murder
In 1973 it was recognized by Pennsylvania that there are different degrees of murder. By having seperate categories for murder there can also be seperate punishments. Different degrees of murder have different outcomes in prison time and death row and not all cases of murder should be punished by death. (Stewart) -
Lethal Injection in Oklahoma
On May 11, 1977, Oklahoma's state medical examiner, Jay Chapman, proposed a new, less painful method of execution, known as Chapman's Protocol: "An intravenous saline drip shall be started in the prisoner's arm, into which shall be introduced a lethal injection consisting of an ultra-short-acting barbiturate in combination with a chemical paralytic." (Human Rights Watch) -
Ted Bundy Execution
At approximately seven o'clock on the morning of January 24, 1989, Ted Bundy, perhaps the most notorious serial killer in the U.S., died in the electric chair. It had been a long journey consisting of multiple captures, escapes, manhunts, trials, appeals, and denials. The crowd gathered outside let out a jubilant cheer and set off fireworks. (Rule) -
Westley Allan Dodd Hanging
One of the most evil killers in history was put to death by being hanged. Westley's hanging was the first legal hanging since 1965. Westley had a choice to die by lethal injection or haning. He said he choose hanging because that was how he killed his last victim. He also requested that his execution be televised, however it was denied. (Montaldo)
