1. Death Penalty

2. History 8th Amendment: “Cruel and Unusual Punishment”
Supreme Court Decisions:
1972 Furman v. Georgia = unconstitutional
1976 Gregg v. Georgia = OK to use and states decide if they want it

3. Today 37 states have / use Death Penalty (NJ) Methods:
Lethal Injection
Gas Chamber
Firing Squad
Hanging
Electric Chair

6. Issue with Death Penalty
Deterrent Effect:
Location and time of executions???
Length of time
10 years 10 months is average amount of time from conviction to execution!
Cost – expense of executing vs. life in prison???

7. Death Penalty in Oregon
Lethal Injection:
Sodium Pentothol (induces sleep)
Pancuronium Bromide (stops breathing)
Potassium Chloride (stops heart)
Executed 2 people since 1976
Currently have 32 people on Death Row