death_penalty_new.qxd 02-08-27 12:57 Page 55 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) Moratorium: There is no moratorium on executions in place at the federal level. At the State level only two of the 38 States that retain the death penalty have instituted a moratorium on executions. These are Illinois and Maryland. In addition there is currently an indefinite stay on executions in Florida213. Method of execution: At the federal level, the method of execution is dependent on the State where the crime was committed. If the crime was committed in a State that does not have the death penalty, the execution is carried out by lethal injection214. At the State level, the possible methods of execution are lethal injection, electrocution, gas chamber, hanging and shooting by the firing squad. Some States stipulate for a sole method of execution whereas others provide for a choice between two methods. The most widely used method of execution is lethal injection, which is either the sole or possible method of execution in all States except Nebraska215. The second most widely used method is electrocution, which is a possible method of execution in ten States. STATISTICS Number of death sentences passed: According to unofficial statistics216, 275 persons were sentenced to death in 2000 and 275 persons were sentenced to death in 2001. As of 30 June 2002, 140 persons have been sentenced to death. Number of executions: According to official statistics, 85 persons were executed in 2000217. According to unofficial statistics, 66 persons were executed in 2001 As of 30 June 2002, 35 persons have been executed218. 213 214 215 216 217 218 In July 2002 the Florida Supreme Court issued an indefinite stay on executions. This follows the ruling in Ring v. Arizona (No. 01-488, 24 June 2002). The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 did not link the method of execution to State methods. In 1993 President Bush issued a Regulation indicating lethal injection as the method of execution for persons convicted and sentenced to death under this Act. Nebraska is the only state, which retains the electric chair as the sole method of execution. www.deathpenaltyinfo.org Death Penalty for Female Offenders, Victor L. Streib, www.law.onu.edu/faculty/streib/femdeath.html, 9 July 2002. Capital punishment 2000, Bureau of justice statistics bulletin, NCJ 190598, December 2001, p.1. www.deathpenaltyinfo.org 55