Executions and the Death Penalty

Executions and the Death Penalty

• Jerry Given served as Chief Executioner from 1978 to 1999, performing 62 executions over 17 years
• The United States is among the last developed Western countries to execute criminals.
• Public opinion is divided, with roughly 50% of Americans supporting the death penalty and 50% opposing it
• The capital punishment system is considered flawed, with deterrence and racial disparity being key concerns
• Some believe that having the decision-makers perform executions would change their views on the death penalty
• The execution of the perpetrator does not necessarily bring closure to victims' families
• Justice is a societal issue involving questions of the life of a convicted person

Jerry Given's Experience as an Executioner

• Jerry Given's first execution was in 1982 when he was a correctional officer
• Given became the chief executioner in 1982, after being appointed an executioner in 1977 when the USA reinstated the death penalty
• As a teenager, Given witnessed the shooting death of a young woman, fueling his initial support for the death penalty
• Part of his team took pride in preparing people for their "next step in life."
• Given kept his role as an executioner a secret from everyone, including his wife and family
• In the United States, over 1,460 people have been executed
• Given conducted 37 executions by electrocution and 25 by lethal injection
• He described lethal injection as making the job of killing another person tougher for him
• 15 days prior to an execution the condemned would be moved to death chamber, with a "death watch" for the last 24 hours
• The inmate receives a shower, last meal, and visitations before being put to death
• After 62 executions, Given concluded that he was the only killer he could see in the mirror
• Jerry said that 4% of the people he executed maintained they were innocent

Boston Marathon Bombing Aftermath

• The Boston Marathon bombing injured over 260 people and killed three, prompting a massive police pursuit
• Survivors like Karen Brissard and her family endured multiple surgeries and faced long-term physical and emotional challenges
• Zar nv pleaded not guilty to 30 counts, 17 of which were punishable by death, leading to a federal trial
• The attack happened on a "gorgeous day" during the marathon, while Karen, her husband, and daughter were there
• The two blasts killed three people, including Krystal Campbell, Lingzi Lu, and 8-year-old Martin Richard
• Attorney General Eric Holder sought the death penalty for Zokhar Tsarnaev
• Karen Brissard wanted not to base her decision on the anger she felt with the perpetrators
• Ron, Karen's husband, was one of the lucky ones who saved their leg, but still endured pain

Shannon Sheber Murder Case

• Shannon Sheber was murdered in Philadelphia, sparking an investigation that took years to solve
• Shannon's neighbors heard her screams and called 911, but police did not enter the apartment
• Her family struggled with forgiveness and the desire for revenge, attending support meetings for families of murder victims
• Parents Vicki and Sil Sheber made a conscious decision to abandon anger and vengeance, deciding against pursuing the death penalty for their daughter's killer
• The Shebers faced criticism and hate mail for their stance against the death penalty
• Vicki and Sil turned their grief into advocacy, working to end the death penalty and sharing their story across the United States
• Shannon's killer was identified as Troy Graves in 2002 who confessed to multiple counts of sexual assault and the murder
• Vicky located graves mom and spoke to her for hours offering support
• Troy Grave's mother blamed herself for her son's actions
• The Shebers advocated that the death penalty should be abolished for the sake of Victims

Historical Context of Capital Punishment

• Historically, justice was a community affair, with disproportionate blame placed on marginalized groups
• Executions peaked in the 1930s but declined after a gruesome public hanging in 1936, leading to executions being moved behind prison walls
• Methods of execution evolved over time, from hanging to the electric chair and, eventually, lethal injection

Complexities and Concerns Surrounding the Death Penalty

• The debate about capital punishment has grown increasingly polarized and politicized
• There are concerns about executing innocent people, with research indicating that for every nine executions, one inmate is found innocent
• Capital punishment is administered at the state level, leading to variations in laws and methods
• Belief in a deterrent effect, ensuring the convicted person never kills again
• Disparities arise based on location and the district attorney involved

Earl Washington Jr. Case

• Earl Washington Jr. was wrongly convicted of rape and murder in 1983 and sentenced to death
• Earl had an IQ of 69 and was extremely suggestible, leading to concerns about his confession
• Marie Deans secured a stay of execution, and later DNA evidence proved Earl's innocence
• Jerry Given had prepared for Earl's execution, highlighting the risk of executing innocent people
• Joe, another worker, reached out to Caseworker Marie Deans to see if anything could be done
• 4% of the people Jerry executed maintained they were innocent
• Earl received a full pardon after 17 years of prison and was freed, which Jerry leaned about while serving his time

Jerry Given's Transformation and Advocacy

• Given's time as an executioner ended after being accused of money laundering
• He later spoke out against the death penalty, becoming one of the few former executioners to do so
• Jerry decided to visit Earl and personally apologize for wrongly presuming his guilt
• Given learned that Earl Washington received a full pardon and freed

Tsarnaev Trial and Victims' Perspectives

• The federal jury found Dzhokhar Tsarnaev guilty on all 30 counts, leading to the sentencing phase
• Karen returned home from the hospital but could not bring herself to see Celeste, the women who lost her legs in the bombing
• Survivors had divided opinions on whether Tsarnaev should receive the death penalty
• Celeste voted for the death penalty, while the Richards family decided against it
• He has sentenced to death, but Karen did not believe it teaches anyone anything

Vicki and Sil Sheber's Advocacy Against the Death Penalty

• Vicki and Sil Sheber transformed their grief into advocacy, working to end the death penalty
• Vicki met with inmates on death row and learned about the flaws in the system
• Vicki discovered a system of victims on all sides, on both sides of the bars
• They shared their story across the country, influencing death penalty legislation
• The testimony helped Maryland become the 18th state to repeal capital punishment

Zokhar Sarv Sentencing and Aftermath

• Zokhar Sarv was sentenced to death
• Karen didn't think this evens the score