Death penalty sought in suspected serial killings
Prosecutors in Crown Point are seeking the death penalty against a Gary man charged in the slayings of two women and suspected in the deaths of five others.
Death Penalty
Articles
High court to hear Kansas plea to reinstate death sentences
The Supreme Court of the United States agreed Monday to hear Kansas' appeal to reinstate death sentences for two brothers in the fatal shootings of four people and for another man convicted of killing a couple.
Tsarnaev’s lawyer admits client carried out Boston bombing
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev went on trial for his life Wednesday in the Boston Marathon bombing with his own lawyer bluntly telling the jury he committed the crime. But she argued that he had fallen under the influence of his older brother.
Justices affirm death penalty for man who killed 2 children
A Vanderburgh County man convicted of the murders of his girlfriend’s eight- and five-year-old children after setting fire to hishome in 2010 will remain on death row. The Indiana Supreme Court declined to reverse his convictions or revise his sentence.
‘Dead Man Walking’ author calls for judicial reform
Sister Helen Prejean, at a recent talk at Valparaiso University, called the death penalty process “unjust.”
Valparaiso Law Dean Andrea Lyon built a career battling the death penalty
Lyon remains a passionate, unwavering opponent of capital punishment. Her career path has turned from the courtroom to education. The dean of Valparaiso University Law School maintains a strong connection to death penalty work.
Indiana Senate backs death penalty for beheading crimes
A bill making intentionally decapitating someone a crime eligible for the death penalty has been approved by the Indiana Senate.
Author and death penalty opponent Sister Helen Prejean calls for judicial reform
When she became pen pals with an inmate on Louisiana’s death row, Sister Helen Prejean said she did not know much about the law or the U.S. Constitution. She was not aware of constitutional protections or how the Supreme Court of the United States was interpreting them.
Senate panel passes bill for harsher beheading penalties
Decapitation soon could be punishable by death in Indiana. The state Senate Criminal Law Committee unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for beheadings.
Competency could be key for death penalty in Indiana case
Indiana law experts say the mental health of a northwestern Indiana man charged with strangling two women and suspected of killing five others could complicate the case but shouldn't prevent the state from seeking the death penalty.
Commentary: Lawyer recounts work on Resnover death penalty case
Attorney David Hurley writes about his work for the state on the Gregory Resnover execution. Resnover was put to death by electrocution in 1994.
Prosecutor to seek death penalty for mutilator
A prosecutor intends to seek the death penalty for a southern Indiana man who has confessed to fatally stabbing his girlfriend and mutilating her body, including cooking and eating some of her organs.
State declines to appeal Overstreet competency ruling
The Office of the Indiana Attorney General announced Tuesday it will not appeal a special judge’s ruling that a man on death row is not competent and therefore cannot be executed.
Judge rules man on death row not competent to be executed
A special judge in Johnson County has ruled that Michael Dean Overstreet is not currently competent to be executed.
7th Circuit will hear killer’s appeal en banc
The full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether an Arkansas man on death row should die for killing a Texas woman nearly 20 years ago. The judges decided Wednesday to grant Bruce Carneil Webster’s petition for rehearing en banc.
Senator seeks stiffer punishment for decapitations
The chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee says Indiana needs stronger penalties for decapitation.
Death penalty sought in shooting death of Gary cop
A northwest Indiana prosecutor has notified the court he plans to seek the death penalty for a man charged with murder in the shooting death of a Gary police officer.
Victim’s mother wants inmate cleared for execution
The mother of an Indiana college student killed nearly 17 years ago says it is time for the man convicted of her murder and rape to be executed.
Judge refuses inmate’s request for execution
A northern Indiana judge has turned down the request of a murder convict who asked to be executed even though he wasn't sentenced to death.
How the Supreme Court handles death cases
Supreme Court of the United States decisions to allow inmates to be put to death or to grant a rare reprieve often come at the last minute, and sometimes after the appointed hour of execution has come and gone.