Newsletter: October, 2022
Our newsletters are sent to members at the end of every month. They are composed of articles (usually US death penalty-themed) written by members for members. We publish an abbreviated version here shortly after it is sent out. If you'd like the write for the newsletter and support us, click here to become a member.
In the News
Welcome expansion of Racial Justice Act
The California Racial Justice Act (the ‘Act’) for All is a welcome attempt to provide some semblance of justice for death-row prisoners. The Act was passed on 28 August 2020 and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom... Read more by becoming an Amicus member.
Supreme Court turns away death penalty case on racial animus in jury
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court rejected Andre Thomas’ appeal claiming that he did not receive a fair trial because several jurors held racially biased views. Thomas, a black man, was convicted and sentenced to death... Read more by becoming an Amicus member.
New study finds significant race-of-victim disparities in St Louis County death sentencing
On 20 September 2022, Frank Baumgartner, a political scientist at the University of North Carolina, released his expert report showing significant race-of-victim disparities in death sentencing in St Louis County, Missouri... Read more by becoming an Amicus member.
Alabama schedules execution of death-row prisoner whose jurors voted 11-1 for life
Kenneth Eugene Smith is scheduled to be executed on November 17th 2022, despite the fact that, at trial, his jurors voted 11-1 for life. Kenneth Smith was sentenced to death for the contract killing of Elizabeth Sennett in 1988... Read more by becoming an Amicus member.
‘Innocent is innocent’: Richard Glossip, facing execution once again, as interviewed by The Guardian
On the 30th September 2015, Richard Glossip underwent the ‘hardest’, and maybe last, day of his life. He reconciled himself with the fact that he had just a short while left to live. It was the third time he had been made to do so... Read more by becoming an Amicus member.
Rodney Reed pleads before U.S. Supreme Court for DNA testing that might establish his innocence
Rodney Reed was convicted of murdering 19-year-old victim Stacey Stites. Over the years, Reed has claimed his innocence, asserting that Stite’s fiancé at the time, Jimmy Fennell (a former police officer) was the one... Read more by becoming an Amicus member.
FEATURE: Death penalty, life without parole & rehabilitation
In recent decades, the United States has seen an extraordinary increase in ‘life imprisonment without parole’ (LWOP) sentences. Over 200,000 people are currently serving life sentences in the United States—a quarter of those will never have an opportunity for parole... Read more by becoming an Amicus member.