death penalty
The death penalty says more about us than the condemned
By Joe Ingle — April 11, 2024
(RNS) — I should know. I’ve been a death row pastor for 45 years.
Lawsuit: Priest says first gas execution in US poses threat to religious liberty
By Kathryn Post — December 14, 2023
(RNS) — The Rev. Jeff Hood, spiritual adviser to Kenneth Smith, argued the restrictions imposed during the execution would violate Hood’s right to the free exercise of religion.
One nun’s mission to save souls, from death row to the Met opera
By Meagan Saliashvili — October 5, 2023
(RNS) — The story of a killer’s — and Sister Helen Prejean’s — redemption comes to New York.
Vatican, other faith leaders join in push for end of death penalty in Louisiana
By Adelle M. Banks — September 29, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We think that the clearing of Louisiana’s death row would be a monumental step towards the abolition of the death penalty,’ Vatican agency head said.
For many Pittsburgh Jews, Robert Bowers deserves the death penalty
By Yonat Shimron — August 3, 2023
(RNS) — The execution may be years or decades away, if it happens at all, but for the country’s worst act of antisemitism the death penalty sent a message that hatred of Jews should never be tolerated.
The gunman who killed 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue is found eligible for the death penalty
By Peter Smith — July 13, 2023
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Testimony is now expected to shift to the impact of Bowers’ crimes on survivors and the victims’ loved ones.
‘The defendant hated Jews’: In Pittsburgh synagogue trial, closing arguments debate intent
By Kathryn Post — June 15, 2023
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — 'He turned a sacred place of worship into a hunting ground,' said prosecutor Soo Song.
Amid horrific testimonies, Pittsburgh Jews hold each other up
By Yonat Shimron and Kathryn Post — June 2, 2023
PITTSBURGH, (RNS) — The long-awaited trial of Robert Bowers has reopened old wounds and resurfaced painful memories.
Lawyers for Pittsburgh synagogue defendant admit he carried out deadliest US antisemitic attack
By Peter Smith — May 31, 2023
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bowers’ defense acknowledged at the outset of his federal trial that he was the gunman, but hope to spare the suburban truck driver a possible death sentence over the Oct. 27, 2018, massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue.
Should the Tree of Life shooter get the death penalty?
By Jeffrey Salkin — May 9, 2023
(RNS) — A new podcast: Should murderers be executed? For the Jews of Pittsburgh, the question is personal.
Why the Biden administration should spare Tree of Life shooter Robert Bowers’ life
By David Saperstein — April 19, 2023
(RNS) — The government should consider the guidance of the collective wisdom of Jewish institutions.
Our moral imagination continues to be put to death in the execution chamber
By Jeff Hood — March 9, 2023
(RNS) — Today, I am scheduled to watch Arthur Brown Jr. die. I mourn for more than him.
Replacing vengeance with mercy in our death penalty policy
By Karen Swallow Prior — March 7, 2023
(RNS) — The troubling case of Andre Thomas invites a closer look at all the factors that play a part in the death penalty.
Spiritual advisers offering final comfort in execution rooms
By Jim Salter — February 6, 2023
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A Supreme Court ruling last March requires states to allow spiritual advisers to join condemned inmates in their final moments.
Texas executes inmate who fought prayer, touch rules
By Juan A. Lozano and Michael Graczyk — October 5, 2022
(RNS) — John Henry Ramirez challenged state prison rules that prevented his pastor from touching him and praying aloud during his execution, saying his religious freedom was being violated.
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