The death penalty was abolished nearly two decades ago but AG William Barr has brought it back.
Donald Trump has been a fan the death penalty, as we’ve seen in When They See Us. That was in the 90s and even at that point, there was resistance against state-issued executions. But now, Attorney General William Barr has ordered the Bureau Prisons to reinstate capital punishment starting with five death row inmates. According to CNBC, Barr’s scheduled the execution five inmates which is set to take place between December 2019 and January 2019.
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“Congress has expressly authorized the death penalty through legislation adopted by the people’s representatives in both houses Congress and signed by the President,” Barr said in a statement. “Under Administrations both parties, the Department Justice has sought the death penalty against the worst criminals, including these five murderers, each whom was convicted by a jury his peers after a full and fair proceeding.”
Adding, “The Justice Department upholds the rule law—and we owe it to the victims and their families to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system.”
The death penalty was initially outlawed, both federally and state-wide, in 1972 but later reinstated in 1988. It was later expanded since 1994. However, after Congress’ decision to expand the death penalty laws, there wasn’t a federal execution that happened until 2001.
What do you think? Do you agree with the death penalty? Sound f in the comments.