Death sentences
Archive theme
A death sentence is not the same thing as an execution: years can pass between the two, and the sentence may be overturned on appeal, commuted, or never carried out. Counting them separately measures two different things: how far a state resorts to capital punishment, and how far it actually applies it.
This page collects the news on death sentences handed down around the world, on the later stages of appeal, and on the sentences upheld or overturned. Executions have a page of their own.
Latest news
JUNE 10, 2013MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: MAINTENANCE WORKER TO HANG FOR MURDER
A 28-year-old maintenance worker was sentenced to death by the High Court in Malaysia
- JUNE 10, 2013CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. A jury recommended execution for Charles Ray Smith.
USA - California. A jury recommended execution for Charles Ray Smith.
- JUNE 7, 2013PakistanDEATH PENALTY
a judge in Pakistan sentenced the son of a powerful businessman
a judge in Pakistan sentenced the son of a powerful businessman
- JUNE 7, 2013AlabamaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Alabama. The Court of Criminal Appeals has again overturned the death sentence for Jerry Jerome Smith
USA - Alabama. The Court of Criminal Appeals has again overturned the death sentence for Jerry Jerome Smith
- JUNE 5, 2013DEATH PENALTY
NORTH CAROLINA REPEALS LAW ALLOWING RACIAL BIAS CLAIM IN DEATH PENALTY CHALLENGES
A law that allowed death-row inmates to challenge their sentences based on racial bias
- JUNE 5, 2013LibyaDEATH PENALTY
the Misrata Military Court sentenced to death two soldiers loyal to Mummar Gaddafi’s regime, who opened
the Misrata Military Court sentenced to death two soldiers loyal to Mummar Gaddafi’s regime, who opened
- JUNE 5, 2013FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Judge William Fuente sentenced Kenneth Ray Jackson to death.
USA - Florida. Judge William Fuente sentenced Kenneth Ray Jackson to death.
JUNE 5, 2013BangladeshDEATH PENALTYBANGLADESH: 5 GET DEATH SENTENCE FOR MURDERING HINDU LEADER
Five people were sentenced to death and three others handed down life term by a
- JUNE 5, 2013North CarolinaDEATH PENALTY
USA - North Carolina. The House voted 77-39 to repeal Racial Justice Act (SB 306).
USA - North Carolina. The House voted 77-39 to repeal Racial Justice Act (SB 306).
- JUNE 4, 2013IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ: COURT SENTENCES 6 AL-QAEDA MEMBERS TO DEATH
Six al-Qaeda members convicted of carrying out terrorist attacks have been sentenced to death
JUNE 3, 2013SeychellesDEATH PENALTYEGYPT: 5 FOREIGNERS SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER DRUGS
An Egyptian court sentenced five foreigners including a British sailor to death after they were convicted of
- JUNE 3, 2013MississippiDEATH PENALTY
USA - Mississippi. A jury sentenced James Cobb Hutto to death
USA - Mississippi. A jury sentenced James Cobb Hutto to death
JUNE 2, 2013KuwaitDEATH PENALTYKUWAIT: 4 SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER MURDER OF LEBANESE DENTIST
A Kuwait court sentenced four people to death for killing a Lebanese national in an assault at a shopping
- MAY 31, 2013NevadaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Nevada. A jury sentenced Gregory Hover to death
USA - Nevada. A jury sentenced Gregory Hover to death
- MAY 31, 2013CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. A jury is recommending the death penalty for Michael Walters.
USA - California. A jury is recommending the death penalty for Michael Walters.
- MAY 31, 2013United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - Federal. A jury recommended 13 death sentences against Kaboni Savage
USA - Federal. A jury recommended 13 death sentences against Kaboni Savage
- MAY 30, 2013MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
MALAYSIA: MOROCCAN MAN GETS DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
A Morrocan man was sentenced to death by the High Court in Malaysia for trafficking in
MAY 30, 2013VietnamDEATH PENALTYVIETNAM: SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT CONFIRMS DEATH FOR CHINESE DRUG MULE
In Vietnam, the Supreme People’s Court upheld the death penalty handed down by a provincial
- MAY 28, 2013IndiaDEATH PENALTY
UAE: MAN TO DIE FOR MURDERING HOUSEWIFE IN BUR DUBAI
An accountant, who slit the throat of a compatriot housewife in her flat after persuading her to let him in by asking for a glass of water, has been sentenced to death in the UAE
- MAY 28, 2013MississippiDEATH PENALTY
USA - Mississippi. A jury sentenced James Cobb Hutto to death
USA - Mississippi. A jury sentenced James Cobb Hutto to death
- MAY 28, 2013FloridaDEATH PENALTY
USA - Florida. Judge Peter Dubensky sentenced Delmer Smith, 41, White, to death
USA - Florida. Judge Peter Dubensky sentenced Delmer Smith, 41, White, to death
- MAY 27, 2013IndiaDEATH PENALTY
the additional district and sessions judge, in India...
the additional district and sessions judge, in India...
- MAY 24, 2013NigeriaDEATH PENALTY
a middle aged man, Tersoo Terna, was sentenced to death by hanging
a middle aged man, Tersoo Terna, was sentenced to death by hanging
MAY 24, 2013LaosDEATH PENALTYLAOS: THREE DRUG TRAFFICKERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
MAY 24, 2013VietnamDEATH PENALTYVIETNAM: GANG OF GOLD THIEVES SENTENCED TO DEATH
A court in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, sentenced three men to death for their part in a gang
- MAY 23, 2013SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: PUNTLAND COURT ISSUES DEATH SENTENCES FOR ISLAMIC MUFTI'S KILLERS
The Puntland military court in northern Somalia has convicted 7 persons of committing acts of terrorism
- MAY 23, 2013TexasDEATH PENALTY
USA - Texas. Jury sentenced Naim Rasool Muhammad, 34, Black, to death
USA - Texas. Jury sentenced Naim Rasool Muhammad, 34, Black, to death
MAY 23, 2013Palestinian TerritoriesDEATH PENALTYGAZA: 2 CONVICTED COLLABORATORS SENTENCED TO DEATH
A military court in the Gaza Strip sentenced two people to death for collaborating
MAY 23, 2013MalaysiaDEATH PENALTYMALAYSIA: FOUR SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF COSMETICS QUEEN SOSILAWATI
Four men accused in the murder of cosmetics businesswoman Sosilawati Lawiya and three
MAY 23, 2013KuwaitDEATH PENALTYKUWAIT: OFFICER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER
A Kuwaiti court sentenced an officer to death for killing another officer.