In death penalty cases, the quest for justice is not America's highest value

The case for the death penalty

Almost 80 years ago, in 1948, two of the greatest figures of the British Left, Clement Attlee and Ernest Bevin, voted in the House of Commons to retain the death penalty, briefly suspended in a major parliamentary wrangle. Several other Labour ministers joined them, mostly working-class MPs. The event, though beyond doubt, is shocking to record. The Left has for years now viewed the execution of heinous murderers as wicked and futile, and has tre

In death penalty cases, the quest for justice is not America's highest value

Jimmie Christian Duncan learned in April 2025 that a Louisiana judge had dismissed his capital murder conviction and he would no longer face the prospect of execution. In 1998, a jury convicted Duncan of murdering his girlfriend's 23-month-old daughter, and he had been on death row ever since.

In death penalty cases, the quest for justice is not America’s highest value

Between 1976 and 2015, 80% of Louisiana's capital sentences were later reversed. Bernd Obermann/Getty ImagesJimmie Christian Duncan learned in April 2025 that a Louisiana judge had dismissed his capital murder conviction and he would no longer face the prospect of execution. In 1998, a jury convicted Duncan of murdering his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter, and he had been on death row ever since. Louisiana has a long and troubled death penalt…

Death penalty abolitionists gather in Dover

DOVER, Del. – Death penalty abolitionists from across the state gathered at Legislative Hall Tuesday to urge lawmakers to support House Bill 35. House Bill 35 is an amendment to the Delaware Constitution adding five words to Article 1 Section 11 that say, “nor the death penalty imposed.” “So by those five words we will put limits on our future government from trying to bring back the death penalty,” said Kevin O’Connell, Chief Defender for the O…