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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

What U.S. crimes still have death penalty besides murder?

What U.S. civilian crimes besides murder still have the death penalty. I know high treason can, like the Rosenburgs of the 1940's-50's. I think the armed forces have a few still like maybe mutiny or desertion? Do states or federal have other death penalty crimes not widely known? I know there are more in the past like horse thieves and witchcraft, but I'm mainly interested in present. Do you know anyone as good examples of non-murder death penalty cases?
Answers:
You have a pretty complete list. Treason though would be a federal law. Kidnapping is the other death penalty. In Texas, a landowner can hang rustlers caught in the act of taking livestock. Livestock can include chickens. Funny though. I suspect a modern jury would convict anyone doing such a hanging for wrongful death if they did in fact do it by hanging. But on the other hand, Texans still have the only state where you can use firearms to defend your property. Property can include a dog or a goat or a stereo system. I doubt the death penalty would be applied for documented rustling, however, I did read about a felon that stole chicken from a supermarket, the rustler law was applied, and he got 99 years.
Incidentally, the Rosenburgs were electrocuted. The chair was designed for men. The headband strap didn't fit the Mrs. very well. The federal turkeys threw the switch 3 times trying to kill her. It was during the time of the Commie hunts.
multiple rapes that include vicious beatings and repeated child molestation I believe.
IDK but here is a list of crimes that should

Murder
Rape
Child Molestation
Child Abuse
Animal Cruelty
Armed Robbery
Aggrevated Assault
Treason
Espionage
Grand Theft
Racketeering
Most death penalty cases are determined by the prosecutor, as it is they who SEEK the death penalty. What drives a case from a prison felony to a death penalty felony is dependent on various aggravating circumstances. This also varies from one jurisdiction to another.
No state authorizes the death penalty for any crimes except first degree murder. Even then, the death penalty is available only with "special" or "aggravating" circumstances defined by statute. Federal and military law theoretically allow death for the crimes you mentioned, but no state laws. There have been some in the past, but the Supreme Court put a stop to that with a series of rulings that, without being explicit, essentially limited death penalty to aggravated first degree murder cases.

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