death-penalty
24 stories related to this topic, newest first.
Al JazeeraFederal Judge Permanently Blocks Alabama Nitrogen Gas Execution
A U.S. district judge ruled Tuesday that Alabama cannot execute a death-row inmate by nitrogen gas, finding the method violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The state had planned to carry out the execution on Thursday and is appealing the decision.
Abc NewsAlabama Nitrogen Execution for Convicted Double Murderer to Proceed Thursday After Appeals Court Returns Challenge for Review
A three-judge panel reversed a May ruling and sent the case back for study of whether nitrogen hypoxia violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The decision came hours before Jeffery Lee’s scheduled execution on Thursday.
ABC NewsArmy Continues Routine Execution Protocol Drills Conducted for Past 20 Years
The U.S. Army rejected reports that it is preparing to carry out executions for its four death-row inmates. Officials said the drills are standard practice conducted for the past 20 years.
nypost.comFlorida Executes Richard Knight for 2002 Double Murder
Richard Knight was put to death by lethal injection Thursday evening at Florida State Prison. The execution marks the seventh carried out by the state this year.
abcnews.go.comFlorida Man Scheduled for Execution Thursday in 2000 Double Murder
Richard Knight, 47, is set to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison on May 21, 2026. The execution would be the state's seventh of the year. Knight was convicted in 2006 of killing his cousin's girlfriend and her four-year-old daughter.
alternet.orgSupreme Court Dismisses Death Penalty IQ Case Without New Guidance
The Supreme Court dismissed Hamm v. Smith on Thursday, leaving lower courts without additional direction on evaluating multiple IQ scores in death penalty cases. Justice Samuel Alito dissented, arguing the ruling increases confusion in the court's approach to intellectual disabil…
The Washington PostSupreme Court Declines to Hear Death Penalty Case on Mental Disabilities
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the case of Joseph Clifton Smith on procedural grounds. The decision leaves unresolved what standards states should use to assess intellectual disabilities in death penalty cases.
ABC NewsSupreme Court Dismisses Alabama Bid to Execute Inmate with Borderline Intellectual Disability
A divided Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed Alabama's effort to execute Joseph Clifton Smith, 55, whose lower-court rulings found him intellectually disabled. The action leaves prior rulings in place and avoids a full decision on handling borderline IQ cases.
The IndependentTennessee attorneys question use of expired execution drugs
Attorneys for death row inmate Tony Carruthers say they asked the Tennessee Department of Correction last month whether the state had obtained unexpired lethal injection drugs for his scheduled execution. The department has not confirmed the status of the drugs.
France 24Amnesty International Reports Record Death Sentences and Executions in 2025
Amnesty International documented a record increase in death sentences and executions worldwide during 2025. The organization identified China and Iran as the countries with the highest numbers.
jpost.comIsraeli Military Extends Death Penalty Law to West Bank Palestinians
The Israeli military’s Central Command chief signed an order applying the new death penalty law to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The measure targets those convicted of acts aimed at denying Israel’s existence. Legal officials had previously warned against extending civi…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewJustice Department Seeks Death Penalty for Man Charged in Killing of Two Israeli Embassy Staffers
The Justice Department announced it will seek the death penalty against Elias Rodriguez, charged with federal hate crimes and murder in the May 2025 shooting deaths of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside a Washington Jewish museum. Prosecutors described the attack as calcu…
ocregister.comJustice Department Seeks Death Penalty for Suspect in Fatal Shootings of Two Israeli Embassy Staffers
The Justice Department announced it will seek the death penalty against the suspect in the fatal shootings of two Israeli Embassy staff members. The decision follows the suspect's arrest and federal charges related to the incident. Officials have not released additional details o…
The IndependentIsraeli Parliament Votes 93-0 to Extend Death Penalty Law to Gaza Palestinians
Israel's Knesset approved legislation to establish special tribunals that can impose the death penalty on Gazan Palestinians convicted of crimes against humanity. The measure passed unanimously among those voting and builds on earlier legislation requiring capital punishment for…
Nbc NewsIsraeli Lawmakers Approve Special Tribunal for 2023 Hamas Attack Suspects
The Knesset passed a bill 93-0 on May 11, 2026, establishing a special tribunal empowered to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of participating in the October 7, 2023, attack. The measure creates a dedicated appeals process and requires livestreamed trials in Jer…
BBC NewsIsrael Knesset Passes Law for Death Penalty and Public Trials for October 7 Attackers
Israel's Knesset approved legislation to create a special military tribunal that can impose the death penalty on those linked to the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. The measure, passed unanimously by those present, also mandates public trials with filmed proceedings.
South China Morning PostIsrael Passes Law to Create Tribunal for October 7 Attack Participants
The Knesset passed the bill 93-0 on May 12, 2026, establishing a livestreamed tribunal in Jerusalem that can impose capital punishment by majority vote. Rights groups immediately criticized the measure as undermining fair trial protections. The legislation targets Palestinians co…
catholicnewsagency.comKnesset Passes Law Allowing Public Military Trials for October 7 Attackers
Israel's parliament unanimously approved legislation to hold public military trials in Jerusalem for those involved in the October 7 attacks, with the possibility of death sentences. The measure passed 93-0 as the Knesset opened its summer session. Officials described the proceed…
Al JazeeraIsrael Advances Bill for Military Trials of October 7 Detainees
Israeli lawmakers are considering legislation that would establish a special military tribunal to try Palestinians detained in connection with the October 7, 2023 attacks. The bill would allow deviations from standard evidence rules and permit the death penalty. Legal experts hav…
jpost.comBill to Allow Death Penalty for October 7 Attackers Advances in Israeli Legislature
A bill that would establish a special legal framework for prosecuting terrorists involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks is scheduled to advance to its second and third readings on Monday. The measure would permit the death penalty and public trials for those involved, including…
middleeasteye.netIsrael National Security Minister Posts Video Referencing Nooses for Palestinian Detainees
Israel’s National Security Minister posted a video on TikTok featuring a montage of AI-generated images and stating he 'dreams' of nooses. The post references a death penalty law targeting Palestinian detainees. The video was published on May 6, 2026.
news.sky.comIsrael Enacts Death Penalty for Convictions in Terrorist Killings Targeting State's Existence, Effective May 1, 2026
Israel's new law mandating the death penalty for certain terrorist acts came into force on May 1, 2026, following its passage in the Knesset. The measure applies to convictions involving intentional killings aimed at negating the state's existence, with executions by hanging requ…
jurist.orgDOJ Authorizes Firing Squad for Federal Executions
The U.S. Justice Department has authorized firing squads and other methods for federal executions as part of efforts to resume capital punishment under President Trump. The move also reauthorizes single-drug lethal injections using pentobarbital, reversing Biden-era changes. Pope…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewIran Executes 1,639 People in 2025, Highest Number Since 1989 Amid War and Protests
Iranian authorities carried out at least 1,639 executions in 2025, a 68% increase from 975 in 2024, according to Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty. The figure marks the highest since tracking began in 2008 and since 1989. Executions continued during a war t…