Capital Punishment: Race, Poverty, & Disadvantage with Stephen Bright - Innocence (s13a)

Innocence, Clemency, Execution & Perspectives This class first examines the question of innocent people being sentenced to death and, in some instances executed. A number of people sentenced to death have been exonerated and released. There are substantial questions about the innocence of others who were executed. We review those cases and examine the factors that lead to conviction of the innocent. Next, we turn to the issue of clemency and the vast power of the executive to grant or withhold clemency. Then we examine executions – how they are carried out and the questions surrounding lethal injection and botched executions. Finally, Prof. Bright reviews some different perspectives on the death penalty in America. He talks about why some people oppose it, why some people support it, and where we stand in our long national experiment with the ultimate penalty. Innocence (s13a) A number of people sentenced to death have been exonerated and released. There are substantial questions about the innocence of others who were executed. This segment examines the factors that lead to conviction of the innocent. Class readings: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s7rcjz1xfv027oa/AADOz3Ps-oMBUaU41ZEWBJdUa/Class%2013/Class%2013%20Cover%20Page.docx?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s7rcjz1xfv027oa/AABDplrN---HgPQsgbWU4mlMa/Class%2013/Class%2013%20Part%201%20-%20Innocence.pdf?dl=0