Death sentences, executions drop in 2008

[Liberal_in_LA]

Death sentences, executions drop in 2008

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/11/death.sentences/

37 people were executed in 2008, the lowest amount in 14 years

111 expected to receive death sentence this year, the lowest figure since 1976

Drop attributed to 4-month moratorium earlier this year

Expert says economy may force states to look at costs associated with death penalty

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Executions resumed nationwide in May.

"We were surprised that the surge in executions that we expected after Baze did not happen," said Richard Dieter, Executive Director of DPIC, a non-profit resource organization that opposes capital punishment.

"Courts, legislatures and the public are increasingly skeptical about the death penalty, whether those concerns are based on innocence, inadequate legal representation, costs, or a general feeling that the system isn't fair or accurate."