60 Percent of Executions Happen in Texas

The New York Times ^ | 12-26-2007 | ADAM LIPTAK

[Baladas]

(Dec. 26) -- This year’s death penalty bombshells — a de facto national moratorium, a state abolition and the smallest number of executions in more than a decade — have masked what may be the most significant and lasting development. For the first time in the modern history of the death penalty, more than 60 percent of all American executions took place in Texas.

Over the past three decades, the proportion of executions nationwide performed in Texas has held relatively steady, averaging 37 percent. Only once before, in 1986, has the state accounted for even a slight majority of the executions, and that was in a year with 18 executions nationwide.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Is that the “express lane” Tater Salad spoke of?

[humblegunner]

more than 60 percent of all American executions took place in Texas.

That doesn't even count the freelance ones arising from home defense.

[deport]

Any correlation with a lower murder rate?

---

The murder rate in Texas is just slightly higher than the National Average over the past few years...

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=169

[Larry Lucido]

Texas will always have a special place in this Yankee’s heart.

[GregoTX]

[OCC]

Any correlation with a lower murder rate?

100% of those executed never murder again.

[miketheprof]

We’re Number One! We’re Number One! ...

[umgud]

We have 15 to 20 thousand murders per year in the US. When we reach at least 10 thousand executions per year we will learn if it is a deterent.

[Centurion2000]

(Dec. 26) -- This year’s death penalty bombshells — a de facto national moratorium, a state abolition and the smallest number of executions in more than a decade — have masked what may be the most significant and lasting development. For the first time in the modern history of the death penalty, more than 60 percent of all American executions took place in Texas.

Thanks for the good news NY Times. I bet it just pisses you off that there is still a state in the Union that has the balls to execute criminals.

[Felis_irritable]

"...more than 60 percent of all American executions took place in Texas."

So? If you don't want to risk a death sentence, kill somebody in New York. Or Massachusetts. Or Illinois. Problem solved, and I'm not even an "I'm smarter than you dumb hicks" New York lawyer.

And FTR, I, too, am tired of doing the heavy lifting for the rest of the country.

[17th Miss Regt]

have masked what may be the most significant and lasting development.

Texas does nothing to change what it already does and there is this significant development? This is truly idiotic. It figures he's a secular humanist lawyer. Not a very good writer either (IMHO).

[Centurion2000]

http://www.langleycreations.com/photo/deathpenalty/livingston/deathrow.jpg

That is one scary building complex to walk into. I was always nervous I'd get stuck in there from an admin error.

[elcid1970]

There are only two certainties in life: death and Texas.

;^)

It’s a disappointing stat: why should the Lone Star State have to shoulder such a disproportionate burden of the need for final justice?

[montag813]

Why doesn’t the MSM focus on the percentage of crimes committed against innocent Americans by illegal aliens, instead of the percentage of executions of murderers in Texas.

[montag813]

That doesn't even count the freelance ones arising from home defense.

You're right...Texas is getting jipped on the numbers!

[Baladas]

New Jersey’s Number Fifty! New Jersey’s Number Fifty!

[elcid1970]

Why the comfortable-looking pillow on the execution place?

Why not just strap the perp’s forehead flat to the death gurney, so that he can be made to gaze helplessly upward at a projected ceiling image of the GATES OF HELL!!?

[Allegra]

WE’RE #1!!

[kcvl]

I doubt their victims had it so good. No comfortable pillows for the victims no doubt.

[chesley]

God bless Texas