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Alabama Legislation on Execution Witnesses

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"Alabama considers allowing more witnesses to executions," is the editorial in today's Birmingham News.Executions in America were once public events, witnessed at times by thousands of people who came just to see the spectacle. But as more people grew uncomfortable with these almost-festive affairs, and as electrocution became fashionable in the early 20th century, executions became more private - still witnessed, but only by a select few. It was only in 1996 that Alabama passed a law that included victims' family members among the allotted witnesses at executions. The law permitted only two family members. At the time, the state still used the electric chair, and there was little space for extra witnesses. When the state switched to lethal injections, the new chamber included more room for witnesses...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on April 07, 2009 (boomark / email).