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Executions: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

LastWeekTonight・26 minutes read

The documentary explores America's historical methods of executing criminals, including brutal practices like hanging, burning, and crucifying, leading to a current debate on the morality and legality of the death penalty, especially concerning recent federal executions under Trump and the questionable sourcing of lethal injection drugs. Calls for transparency in the execution process and a reevaluation of current methods to ensure humane treatment of prisoners are becoming increasingly urgent.

Insights

  • The documentary highlights the historical evolution of America's execution methods, showcasing a range from burning to crucifying, shedding light on the brutal practices employed in the past.
  • Recent concerns surrounding the execution process in the US, including issues with suppliers like Absolute Standards, highlight the lack of transparency and ethical considerations in capital punishment, urging for increased scrutiny and accountability in the system.

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Recent questions

  • What are some historical methods of execution in America?

    The documentary from the 80s explains the varied methods America has used for executing criminals over the years. These methods include burning, drawing and quartering, hanging, axing, crucifying, pressing with weights, stoning, impaling, starving, decapitating, and gibbeting.

  • How has the death penalty been viewed in recent times?

    The death penalty has been discussed in previous shows, with the stance being that it is morally wrong and inhumane. Since the last discussion, the US has executed 91 people, with 13 federal executions under Trump, who was outspoken in his support for capital punishment.

  • What concerns have been raised about federal executions under Trump?

    The federal executions under Trump were not entirely by the book, raising concerns about the methods used. States have enacted secrecy statutes to conceal vital information about the execution process, leading to sourcing drugs from questionable suppliers.

  • What is the controversy surrounding the supplier Absolute Standards?

    Absolute Standards, a company in Connecticut, is suspected of supplying pentobarbital for government executions, raising ethical and legal concerns. FDA and Trump Administration claimed the supplier was properly registered for executions, but filed FOIA requests for records related to Absolute Standards yielded no results.

  • What alternative method of execution is being considered by some states?

    States are considering nitrogen gas executions, which originated from amateur enthusiasts, but have been proven to be violent. Lawmakers are urged to eliminate secrecy around the execution process to allow public scrutiny and voice against executions.

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Summary

00:00

"America's Varied and Controversial Execution Methods"

  • The documentary from the 80s explains the varied methods America has used for executing criminals over the years.
  • Methods include burning, drawing and quartering, hanging, axing, crucifying, pressing with weights, stoning, impaling, starving, decapitating, and gibbeting.
  • Giting is defined as hanging the condemned man by chains until death, which can take weeks.
  • The death penalty has been discussed in previous shows, with the stance being that it is morally wrong and inhumane.
  • Since the last discussion, the US has executed 91 people, with 13 federal executions under Trump, who was outspoken in his support for capital punishment.
  • The federal executions under Trump were not entirely by the book, raising concerns about the methods used.
  • States have enacted secrecy statutes to conceal vital information about the execution process, leading to sourcing drugs from questionable suppliers.
  • Arizona sourced drugs from unconventional places, leading to botched executions and concerns about repeating mistakes.
  • States have switched to a single massive shot of pentobarbital for lethal injections, which has been reported as brutal and inhumane.
  • Absolute Standards, a company in Connecticut, is suspected of supplying pentobarbital for government executions, raising ethical and legal concerns.

14:43

"FDA Supplier for Executions Under Scrutiny"

  • FDA and Trump Administration claimed supplier Absolute Standards was properly registered for executions
  • Filed FOIA request for records related to Absolute Standards, FDA couldn't locate any
  • Absolute Standards not just making execution drugs, possibly doing so illegally
  • Arizona AG Mark Brnovich spent $1.5 million on unmarked vials of Pentobarbital from Absolute Standards
  • Supplier Absolute Standards may still be selling unregulated drugs to states
  • Berovic promised to follow all regulations but bought drugs from questionable sources in the past
  • DOJ issued opinion that FDA has no jurisdiction over drugs for lawful executions, contradicted by federal appeals court
  • States considering nitrogen gas executions, originated from amateur enthusiasts, proven to be violent
  • Lawmakers should eliminate secrecy around execution process, allow public scrutiny and voice against executions
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