Deborah Denno comments to Le Nouvel Observateur (France) on a confidential document of 13 pages, written by the prison administration in Ohio, describing preparations and the execution of Dennis McGuire, 53.
Deborah Denno for law professor at Fordham University in New York, and one of the best specialists of the death penalty in the United States, “we arrived at an impasse unprecedented A real vicious circle. Whether states decide to change their method of execution, it will mean that, for thirty-two years, this method was not good! So it was supposed to be a sign of modernity and bring death without pain! ” Although some jurisdictions suggest the possibility of return to the electric chair, firing squad, or even hanging, mindsets have changed. 80 death sentences were handed down last year in the United States , the lowest figure since 1976. And 39 sentenced “only” have been executed against 315 in 1994! 55% of Americans (Pew Research) were in favor of the death penalty in cases of murder: they were 78% in 1996!
This article appeared in Le Nouvel Observateur (France) on March 20, 2014