The year 2024 witnessed a continuation of the trend of near-historic lows in the number of executions in the United States. The Death Penalty Information Center's annual report highlighted that executions were primarily concentrated in a select group of states, with Alabama pioneering the use of nitrogen gas as an execution method.
Key Highlights:
- Four states - Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas - accounted for 76% of executions in 2024.
- There were 26 new death sentences in 2024, marking the tenth consecutive year with fewer than 50 individuals sentenced to death.
- Over the past two decades, there has been a significant decline in both the number of executions and new death sentences.
- Only nine states carried out executions in 2024, with some states exploring alternative execution methods due to challenges in sourcing lethal injection drugs.
Alabama's Use of Nitrogen Gas
Alabama made history by becoming the first state to utilize nitrogen gas for executions, with three inmates put to death using this method in 2024. The shift towards nitrogen gas reflects states' ongoing search for viable execution alternatives.
Changing Landscape of Capital Punishment
While states like Texas and Missouri have traditionally been active in carrying out executions, there is a noticeable shift in public sentiment. Conservative lawmakers and prosecutors in some states have publicly supported efforts to halt executions, showcasing a growing opposition to the death penalty.
Supreme Court's Role
The U.S. Supreme Court's involvement in death penalty cases has diminished, with a limited number of inmate requests granted in 2024. The Court's focus has shifted towards denying defendants' access to the courts rather than regulating state use of the death penalty.
Overall, the data from 2024 underscores a continued decline in the use of the death penalty in the United States, with shifting attitudes and evolving practices shaping the landscape of capital punishment.
