One Execution Halted, But Several More Slated For The Next Week

09:58

October 01, 2015

The gurney used to restrain condemned prisoners during the lethal injection process is shown in Huntsville, Texas. The U.S. Supreme Court, ruled lethal injection is legal in a 5-4 opinion ruled on June 29, 2015. (Pat Sullivan/AP Photo)

Alfredo Prieto is scheduled to die Thursday evening in Virginia. His execution is just one of several originally planned to take place in the span of nine days.

Kelly Gissendaner was put to death on Tuesday in Georgia. At the last minute, Richard Glossip's execution was halted by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who issued a 37-day stay to address question about the state's execution protocols.

The flurry of scheduled executions is unusual, as the number of prisoners on death row is declining. But the debate over the morality of capital punishment - and how it is performed - remains contentious.

Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson speaks with Robert Dunham of the Death Penalty Information Center for a broader look at the state laws and opinions regarding the death penalty in the U.S.

Guest

Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. He tweets @RDunhamDPIC.

This segment aired on October 1, 2015.

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