Question about the death penalty in the States.?

Question

I watched a documentary last night about a serial killer in Florida who was executed for her crimes. It got me thinking about the death penalty.
The two methods I'm aware of are the chair and lethal injection. My question is what determines which method someone will be killed by? Is it crime dependent or state dependent or is it something else?
I have no shame in saying I'm against the death penalty, but that documentary got me thinking. I also don't want to get into moral debates with people about this. I'll say it now, I believe in one thing, you believe in another....lets just respect each others beliefs.
Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

Death penalty cases are both State and Federal jurisdiction.

When Death penalty cases come up in Federal courts, the method of death is determined by the State where the crime was committed or in non-death states, the judges decision.

In the states, death by lethal Injection is most common and is the only choice in 26 of the states.

Three states, Alabama, Georgia and Nebraska are Electric Chair only.

So in those 29 States, there is no choice of method.

California and Missouri offer a choice of Injection or a Gas Chamber where the convict is advised to wait until the last possible second to breathe enough to ensure a quick demise.

Florida, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia are Electric Chair or Injection.

Idaho and Utah provide injection but the convicted can opt for firing squad!?

To get hung, you have to be in Washington State but even there you can choose injection.

As recently as 1996, Delaware also offered a choice of hanging but I believe ceased to do so and now only kill by injection.

In 12 States, there is no death penalty (See link for the listing). Incidentally, in my home state, Maine, there is no death penalty since 1887.

In that year, observers were 'treated' to the spectacle of a botched hanging. It was the last attempted execution in Maine.

Here is some more info on hanging from the second link below:

Hanging

Until the 1890s, hanging was the primary method of execution used in the United States. Hanging is still used in Delaware and Washington, although both have lethal injection as an alternative method of execution. The last hanging to take place was January 25, 1996 in Delaware.

For execution by this method, the inmate may be weighed the day before the execution, and a rehearsal is done using a sandbag of the same weight as the prisoner. This is to determine the length of 'drop' necessary to ensure a quick death. If the rope is too long, the inmate could be decapitated, and if it is too short, the strangulation could take as long as 45 minutes. The rope, which should be 3/4-inch to 1 1/4-inch in diameter, must be boiled and stretched to eliminate spring or coiling. The knot should be lubricated with wax or soap "to ensure a smooth sliding action," according to the 1969 U.S. Army manual. (The Corrections Professional, 1996 and Hillman, 1992)

Immediately before the execution, the prisoner's hands and legs are secured, he or she is blindfolded, and the noose is placed around the neck, with the knot behind the left ear. The execution takes place when a trap-door is opened and the prisoner falls through. The prisoner's weight should cause a rapid fracture-dislocation of the neck. However, instantaneous death rarely occurs. (Weisberg, 1991)

If the inmate has strong neck muscles, is very light, if the 'drop' is too short, or the noose has been wrongly positioned, the fracture-dislocation is not rapid and death results from slow asphyxiation. If this occurs the face becomes engorged, the tongue protrudes, the eyes pop, the body defecates, and violent movements of the limbs occur. (The Corrections Professional, 1996 and Weisberg, 1991)

This is apparently what happened in Maine; a long, drawn out 45 minute sort of death by asphyxiation. Fortunately never to occur again in that civilized locale.

Answer 2

I say, screw death row. If you're found guilty, and there's enough evidence to find you guilty, they should shoot you right then and there. If the evidence is iffy, you get six months to appeal. After that time, they should shoot you.

Or, let the punishment fit the crime, no matter what it was. If a punk rapes and strangles an eighty year old woman, they should be done the same way. If a psycho mom drowns her kids in a bath tub, do her the same way. If more people thought like this, I'll bet money that there would be less crime! The criminal justice system in this world is for the birds.

Answer 3

The form of execution is usualy left up to the prisoner. It is usualy his or her choice to decide how they want to die. Not all states are the same, some only offer the lethal injection while some offer electrocution and the lethal injection, still some others offer other forms of execution such as hanging and the firing sqaud.
Not all states support the death penalty.
Some times but very rarely the sentenceing judge will decide the form of execution when he issues the death warrent.

Answer 4

It depends on the state for which of the executions is used.
Most states use lethal injection. They consider it more humane.
The chair is a little more scary and is supposed to make criminals think twice before committing a crime.

Answer 5

In States where there is more than One way used to put inmates to death, the choice is usually made by the inmate.

Example: California has Gas and Lethal Injection... the inmate can choose which method...If the inmate refuses to make a choice, the State will make the choice and it is usually Lethal Injection.

Answer 6

It is determined by the state. Some like Florida use the chair but I think most have gone to lethal injection as being more humane.

Answer 7

Nearly ALL of the states in USA that have the death penalty, Now have the option of death by lethal injection.

Answer 8

I believe that each state chooses their way of execution. In Texas, we have lethal injection. Most states have gone to that. There is nothing wrong with being against the death penalty. As a citizen of this fine country, the problem I have with it is that I don't believe that it is meted out fairly. Also, our criminal justice system leaves a lot of room for error so that we don't necessarily know if we have executed someone who is innocent. Blessings.

Answer 9

The penalty depends on the law of that state. Each state may have a different method of execution.

Answer 10

I believe each state determines its own execution methods but where more than one method is active the inmate has the right to choose which he / she receives. As a matter of interest this is one of my favourite websites relating to the death penalty.

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/deathrow.htm