Capital punishment in West Virginia

West Virginia is currently the only U.S. southern state without a capital punishment.

Prior to secession from the Confederacy and admission to the Union on June 20, 1863, West Virginia was a part of Virginia. 43 people were executed under Virginia's authority, 112 after statehood.

The first two people executed in the State of West Virginia were Daniel Grogan and Thomas Boice (for murder). After secession, no women have been executed in West Virginia.

The last execution for a crime other than murder (rape) took place on December 6, 1940.

Hanging was an official method until 1949; however one execution (James Marshall, April 4, 1913) was carried out by hanging in chains. This was the first execution in the U.S. performed by a method other than hanging, shooting or electrocution from August 1825 [http://users.bestweb.net/~rg/execution/UNUSUAL%20EXECUTIONS.htm] and to date, the last performed by a method oher than hanging, electrocution, gas chamber, shooting or lethal injection.

In 1949 West Virginia was the last state to adopt the electric chair as its only means of execution. The two first inmates electrocuted were Harry Burdette and Fred Painter. Then-State Delegate (now President pro tempore of the United States Senate) Robert Byrd was among the official witnesses during their executions [ [http://www.wvculture.org/hiStory/timetrl/ttfeb.html Time Trail, West Virginia, February 1998 Programs ] ] . In his 2007 speech in Senate Byrd recalled this event, stating "this is not a beautiful thing" [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACotE_dgt-k YouTube - Broadcast Yourself ] ] .

Until 1959 102 people were hanged, nine electrocuted and one hung in chains.

The last person executed by West Virginia was Elmer Brunner on April 3, 1959.

No federal executions have taken place in West Virginia [http://users.bestweb.net/~rg/execution/DATA%20FEDERAL.htm] .

West Virginia abolished capital punishment in 1965 [ [http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=2208 Legislative Activity - New Jersey ] ] .

References