A new dialogue about the death penalty appears to...

A new dialogue about the death penalty appears to be under way inside the Supreme Court. No one believes the court will put a halt to capital punishment as it did in 1972 - it was reinstated in 1976 - but subtle signs of a significant review are visible. Twice in October, the court halted executions at the 11th hour by agreeing to consider inmates' appeals, including one that could end the use of the electric chair. Acting in 2 other cases in November, 2 justices exchanged written views that suggested the court is paying attention to growing international objections to capital punishment in the USA.