[Deathpenalty]death penalty news --- USA

[Joerg Sommer]

death penalty news

July 19, 2004


USA:

Some major Supreme Court cases on capital punishment:

* In 1972, in a case called Furman v. Georgia, the Supreme Court declared 
capital punishment unconstitutional.

* In 1976, in Gregg v. Georgia, the court reinstated the death penalty.

* In 1986, in Ford v. Wainwright, the court held it unconstitutional to 
execute the insane.

* In 1988, in Thompson v. Oklahoma, the court outlawed execution for those 
younger than 16.

* In 1989, in Sanford v. Kentucky, the court specifically allowed execution 
for 16- and 17-year-olds convicted of murder.

* Also in 1989, in Penry v. Luynaugh, the court allowed execution of 
mentally retarded defendants in some cases.

* In 2002, the court reversed itself and outlawed execution of the mentally 
retarded.

* Also in 2002, the court said only juries, not judges alone, may make 
crucial determinations about which cases qualify for a death sentence.

(source. AP / Kansas City Star)