Capital punishment in Vermont
The death penalty was a legal form of punishment in Vermont until 1972.[1][2] Vermont last executed a prisoner in 1954. However, Vermont statutes still state that the punishment for treason is death.[3]
In 2005, Donald Fell was sentenced to death after being convicted of carjacking with death resulting and kidnapping with death resulting by a federal jury in Vermont.[4] Theoretically, following federal law, Donald Fell would have been executed by electrocution as provided by Vermont Penal Code. Fell's conviction was overturned in July 2014 due to "egregious juror misconduct"[5] and he will be retried in 2017.[6]
Summary
| Date | Method | Name | Offense | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date capital punishment was legally abolished | 1965 | |||
| Legal methods of execution | 1778–1919 | hanging (21) | ||
| 1919–1972 | electric chair (5) | |||
| First legal execution | 06-11-1778 | hanging | David Redding | treason |
| Most recent legal execution | 12-08-1954 | electric chair | Donald DeMag | murder |
See also
- List of United States death row inmates
- List of wrongful convictions in the United States
- List of exonerated death row inmates
Notes
- ^ "Vermont: Death Penalty Information Centre". Death Penalty Information Centre. 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
- ^ "Vermont Capital Punishment Law". FindLaw. 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
- ^ Vermont Laws
- ^ Pre-sentencing claims of psychiatric illness, toxicology issues, and matters relating to future dangerousness were initially raised and were subsequently addressed by expert forensic examination. Once pre-sentencing issues were resolved, Fell’s actions were found to meet the threshold as a capital eligible crime because the following aggravating factors applied: 1. Fell caused the death of King during the commission of the crime of kidnapping, §3592(c)(1); 2. Fell’s behavior was especially heinous, cruel or depraved in that it involved serious physical abuse to King, § 3592(c)(6); and 3. Fell intentionally killed or attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, § 3592(c)(16).
- ^ Judge orders new trial in Fell case
- ^ News | Death Penalty Information Center
References
- Hearn, Daniel Allen, Legal Executions in New England: A comprehensive reference, 1623–1960 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1999).