Higher RMPS Capital Punishment

What led to Capital Punishment in the UK being abolished?

In your opinion which was the most significant factor in the abolition of Capital Punishment in the UK? Rank ‘em! Growing public disquiet because of miscarriages of justice were causing innocent people to be wrongly executed e.g. Ruth Ellis, Timothy Evans and Derek Bentley A perception that any killing is just wrong, even legal executions The belief that life is sacred and only God can take it away – the teachings of Jesus contradict Capital Punishment Something else

In your opinion which was the most significant factor in the abolition of Capital Punishment in the UK? Rank ‘em! Growing public disquiet because of miscarriages of justice were causing innocent people to be wrongly executed e.g. Ruth Ellis, Timothy Evans and Derek Bentley (UTILITARIAN) A perception that any killing is just wrong, even legal executions (KANTIAN) The belief that life is sacred and only God can take it away – the teachings of Jesus contradict Capital Punishment (CHRISTIAN) Something else

Key Dates: Heads and Tails 1875 1955 1964 1968 1998 Event Last public hanging Last UK execution Last woman hanged Abolition of death penalty for murder Death penalty completely abolished Match these up !

Key dates in the history of Capital Punishment. Last public hanging was 1875. 1955- Ruth Ellis last female to be executed. 1964- Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans last people executed in UK. 1968- Death penalty for murder abolished in UK. 1998- Death penalty totally abolished (for ‘piracy with violence’ & ‘treason’.)

Real-Time Test QUESTIONS Mental age of 11 Abused as a child Lethal injection Landlord was Reginald Christie Hanged in 1955 Shot someone Killed someone Deserved to be killed ANSWERS Timothy Evans Derek Bentley Ruth Ellis

Timothy Evans: Significant impact on abolition of death penalty. Much political and legal debate. One of the most infamous miscarriages of justice. Evans very low IQ- his evidence was confused and conflicting. Hanged in 1950 for murdering his wife Beryl. 3 years after Evan’s execution, his landlord Reginald Christie was executed for murder of 8 people, one of them Beryl Evans.

Derek Bentley Hanged in 1953 for a murder committed by his 16 year old friend Said to have a mental age of 11, an IQ of 66, and was illiterate Evidence and testimonies said Bentley did not kill the police officer- but still sentenced to death Failed public campaign to have the sentence commuted His hanging caused a huge public outcry, and fuelled the fire against capital punishment

Ruth Ellis: Also helped bring public attention to the capital punishment debate. Hanged in 1955 for shooting her lover: he treated her violently, and caused her to ‘miscarry’. She was a victim of child abuse and was addicted to tranquilisers. Her sister claimed Ruth was not of sound mind at the time of the murder. She was the last woman to be executed in the UK.

Save One! You have the power to save just one person and excuse them from their execution – who would it be and why? Timothy Evans Derek Bentley Ruth Ellis

Real-Time Test QUESTIONS Mental age of 11 Abused as a child Lethal injection Landlord was Reginald Christie Hanged in 1955 Shot someone Killed someone Deserved to be killed ANSWERS Timothy Evans Derek Bentley Ruth Ellis

Key Dates: Heads and Tails 1950 1875 1964 1998 1968 Event Last public hanging Last UK execution Last woman hanged Abolition of death penalty for murder Death penalty completely abolished Match these up !

Exam-style Questions (8min) Describe the key steps which led to the abolition of the death penalty in the UK. 4KU Explain one contemporary case of Capital Punishment in the UK. 4KU

Get numbered into 1s 2s 3s and 4s 1s, 2s, 3s and 4s – 6AE (12min) Get numbered into 1s 2s 3s and 4s

1s, 2s, 3s and 4s – 6AE (12min) 1 “It was wrong for the UK to abolish the death penalty.” To what extent would a Utilitarian agree? 2 “It was wrong for the UK to abolish the death penalty.” To what extent would a Kantian agree? 4 “It was wrong for the UK to abolish the death penalty.” To what extent do you agree? 3 “It was wrong for the UK to abolish the death penalty.” To what extent would a Christian agree?

END 3 key things you learned today 2 key things you knew already today that was reinforced 1 question you would ask Ruth Ellis / Derek Bentley / Timothy Evans if you could.