Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Sentencing Law and Policy

Criminal Law

: Sentencing Law and Policy

How will death penalty proponents respond to "Trial by Fire"?

By Douglas A. Berman

I have now read this potent and must-read article, headlined "Trial by Fire: Did Texas execute an innocent man?", in this week's New Yorkerconcerning the Cameron Todd Willingham case.  In the article, David Grann effectively reviews all the reasons to suspect and fear that Texas executed an innocent man in 2004.  It is certain that death penalty opponents will respond to the piece by asserting this case now proves that a wrongful execution is a real possibility and that the death penalty should therefore be completely abolished.  But what is not certain is how death penalty proponents in Texas and elsewhere will respond to the piece. One easy response for death penalty proponents is simply to assert and maintain that Willingham was in fact guilty, notwithstanding the evidence suggesting otherwise...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on September 01, 2009 (boomark / email).