The pace of executions picking up
If executions in fact deter homicides, we should all feel extra safe over the next week. As detailed on this page, a half dozen executions may take place in four different states over the next six days. If all six of these executions go forward as scheduled, there will have been a total of 29 executions in the US during the first half of 2007. This would mean that the US will be on pace to have more executions in 2007 than it had in 2006.
Given that California, Florida, Missouri and North Carolina are all still struggling to get on with executions after lethal injection scrummages, it is somewhat remarkable that the pace of executions is remaining pretty steady. Of course, this all is primarily a story about Texas justice, since the Lone Star State is responsible for nearly 2/3 of all executions so far in 2007.
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