Capital punishment in Colorado

Capital punishment is legal in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Colorado was the last state to perform an execution in pre-Furman period (in 1967)http://users.bestweb.net/~rg/execution/13501-14490.htm] , but since 1977 executed only one prisoner.

Current development

Death penalty was reinstated in Colorado on January 1, 1975 [ [http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/state/ Death Penalty Information Center ] ] . Previous death penalty statute was declared unconstitutional due to United States Supreme Court "Furman v. Georgia" rule in 1972, which found all statutes in every state unconstitutional, which means in practice commute every death sentences and confirmation of de-facto nationwide moratorium on executions since 1967.

Capital crimes

* First-degree murder with at least 1 of 17 aggravating factors [http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=144&scid=10 Crimes Punishable by the Death Penalty ] ] [ [http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?&did=2356 Aggravating Factors For Capital Punishment By State ] ]
* Treason

entencing and death row

Suitability of the death sentence is determined by the jury. Life in prison is an option. Death row is located in Canon City. Currently there are two people awaiting execution: Nathan Dunlap and Sir Mario Owens. [ [http://www.coadp.org/thenews/deathrowCO.html Colorado's Death Row ] ] .

Clemency

Governor of Colorado has a sole right to pardon or commute the death sentence. As of 2008 no commutation was granted [ [http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=126&scid=13 Clemency ] ] .

Method of executions

Lethal injection is the sole method of executions on Colorado [ [http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?scid=8&did=245 Methods of Execution ] ] .

Executions since 1977

Only one inmate was put to death by the state of Colorado after reintroduction of the capital punishment.

Earlier history

Totally 101 people were executed in Colorado in pre-Furman period (1859-1967). 11 of these execution were prior to Statehood, 90 since. All inmates were executed for murder and all were males [http://users.bestweb.net/~rg/execution/regional_studies_central.htm Regional Studies Central ] ] http://users.bestweb.net/~rg/execution/COLORADO.htm] .

Hanging was a sole method of executions until it was replaced by gas chamber in 1934. There were 69 Hangings and 32 gassings .

Luis Monge, gassed on June 2, 1967, was the last person put to death in the United States prior to 1977.

Other notable execution was the case of Jack Gilbert Graham on 11 January 1957 for killing 44 people by placing a bomb aboard United Airlines Flight 629.

References