The Death Penalty

Death Penalty
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February 17, 2023
1 Hiding Executions from Public
In "Deathquest: An introduction to the theory and practice of capital punishment in the United States," Bohm discusses the practice of hiding executions from the public. The author notes that many states have implemented policies to make executions more private, which can involve restricting access to witnesses, limiting media coverage, and even keeping the identities of those involved in the execution process anonymous.
Bohm argues that this trend toward secrecy in the execution process is problematic, as it undermines the principles of transparency and accountability that are crucial in a democratic society. By keeping the public in the dark about the details of executions, states can avoid scrutiny and criticism, leading to abuses of power and human rights violations.
Furthermore, the author notes that the use of secrecy in the execution process can be harmful to the mental health of those involved, including the executioners and witnesses. The psychological toll of participating in executions can be significant, and the lack of public awareness and understanding of the process only exacerbates the potential harm.
Overall, Bohm suggests that hiding executions from the public is deeply troubling, and he advocates for greater transparency and openness in the capital punishment system.
2 Execution Methods and Procedures
One of the things that was discussed by Bohm in his book was the theory and practice of capital punishment in the United States," Bohm explores the history and evolution of execution methods and procedures.
Particularly, the author discusses how different methods of execution have been used throughout history, from hanging to electrocution to lethal injection.
Bohm also examines several critical legal cases related to execution methods. One such case is Wilkerson v. Utah, which challenged the use of firing squads as a method of execution. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld the use of firing squads, but the case raised important questions about the constitutionality of different methods of execution.
Another critical case discussed by Bohm is In re Kemmler, which involved using the electric chair as a method of execution. The case was significant in that it established the principle that execution methods must be "humane" in order to be constitutional. This standard has been used to evaluate the constitutionality of other execution methods in subsequent cases.
Finally, Bohm discusses the case of McElvaine v. Brush, which challenged using lethal gas as a method of execution. The case raised important questions about the safety and reliability of different execution methods, ultimately leading to the abandonment of lethal gas as a method of execution in many states.
Overall, Bohm's discussion of execution methods and procedures highlights the complexity and contentiousness of the issue. While some methods have been deemed constitutional and humane, others have been challenged and abandoned due to concerns about their safety, reliability, or humaneness.
3 The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Lawyers
Bohm also explored the role of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) lawyers in the fight against the death penalty. The LDF is a legal organization that has been instrumental in advocating for civil rights and challenging racial discrimination in the United States.
Bohm notes that the LDF's involvement in the death penalty issue began in the 1950s when the organization began representing defendants in capital cases. The LDF lawyers argued that the death penalty was racially discriminatory, with black defendants more likely to receive the death penalty than white defendants.
The LDF's work on death penalty cases continued through the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in the landmark Supreme Court case Furman v. Georgia, in which the Court struck down existing death penalty laws and temporarily halted executions. The LDF was a crucial player in this case, arguing that the death penalty was unconstitutional in its application and administration.
Despite the temporary abolition of the death penalty, the LDF continued to fight against its reinstatement. It worked to ensure that any new death penalty laws were free from racial bias. The organization also worked to provide representation for indigent defendants in capital cases and to ra...