ADMJ 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Lethal Injection, Gas Chamber, Arbitrariness
Document Summary
Lethal injection most common, second if electrocution. In a few states, also hanging, gas chamber, and firing squads. Writ of habeas corpus: requires prisoner to be brought before judicial officer to determine lawfulness of imprisonment. Forms basis for many federal appeals by prisoners on state death rows. Demonstrate good cause why claim being made was not in first filing. Explain how absence of claim may have harmed petitioner"s ability to mount an effective defense. Before appeals of new evidence can be heard, petitioner must show that, in light of new evidence, it"s more likely than not that no reasonable juror would find guilt beyond reasonable doubt. 1973-2012, 140 people in 25 states freed from death row after innocence determined. 2000 study by columbia law school professors. Examined 4,578 death-penalty cases in state and federal courts. Appellate courts overturned conviction or reduced sentence in 68% of cases.
