Deborah Denno was quoted in an Associated Press article about death sentences and executions in Missouri.
At the same time, death sentences have been on the decline for many years. Nationally, the 72 death sentences issued last year were the fewest since 1976, according to Amnesty International. None were issued in Missouri.
Death penalty expert Deborah Denno, who teaches at Fordham Law School, cited several factors, including concern over the availability of lethal drugs and worries about executing the innocent.
“I think juries aren’t sending people to death as much and I think prosecutors aren’t bringing them up as often,” Denno said.