Texas Juries Gave Only 8 Death Sentences in 2010
Texas juries sentenced just eight people to death in 2010, the smallest number since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment here in 1976, according to a report published today by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
“Texas — along with the rest of the nation — is moving away from the death penalty,” said Kristin Houlé, executive director of the coalition.
The number of death sentences in Texas has fallen about 70 percent since 2003, according to the report. And over the last three years, juries in only 21 of the state's 254 counties meted out the ...
Comments (6)
Jeff Tartakov via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"Only"? It really doesn't sound like something to be proud of. Did any other state sentence as many as 8 to death? I doubt it.
Robbie Cooper via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How many horrendous capital murders were committed that qualified for the death penalty? If it's any more than 8, than it's a travesty of justice that there were "only" 8.
Natasha Minsker
CA has sentenced at least 22 people to death this year, so the downturn in Texas is quite significant. Congrats on finding a better alternative. Meanwhile CA remains on track to spend $1 billion on the death penalty in the next 5 years.
Natasha Minsker via Texas Tribune on Facebook
CA has sentenced at least 22 people to death this year, so the downturn in Texas is quite significant. Congrats on finding a better alternative. Meanwhile CA remains on track to spend $1 billion on the death penalty in the next 5 years.
Dave MacDonald via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What is the better alternative to a death for a death?
Mark Paulson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Im PRO death penalty, but when you have idiots like Perry going off of horrid arson science, where EVERY arson investigator said since was severely botched and accidental, you just dont pull the switch. Several innocent men died in Texas at his and Dubya's hands, we need to require DNA proof, THEN pull the switch!