Oklahoma allows the execution of juvenile offenders...

Oklahoma allows the execution of juvenile offenders of 16 years and above, but forbids the execution of mentally retarded. It has life without parole. A jury decides the sentence. The Governor has the authority to grant clemency on the advice of the Pardon and Parole Board. The Governor needs a favourable recommendation to grant clemency. In 2001, for the latest exhibit of the fallibility of the judicial system, USA turn to Joyce Gilchrist, a chemist with the Oklahoma City Police Department who has worked on more than 3,000 cases. Oklahoma has executed 11 persons based at least in part on her work. Twelve more remain on death row. Yet in 2001 the FBI labs have been sharply critical of her performance in a sample of cases, accusing her of offering testimony "beyond the acceptable limits of forensic science" in several. A comprehensive review of Ms. Gilchrist's work is now underway.