DPP Talk Series 2015: The Decline of the Death Penalty in America: A Focus on Virginia by Professor Brandon Garrett
- Events
- 3 Jun 2015
The death penalty in America is disappearing. Executions have reached the lowest levels seen in decades. Even the states formerly most aggressive in pursuit of death sentences have seen death sentences steadily decline. In Virginia, for example, which has the highest rate of execution of any death penalty state, and which has executed the second highest number of prisoners since the 1970s, there are now two or fewer trials a year at which a judge or jury even considers imposing the death penalty. Still more surprising, over one half of those trials now result in a life sentence. Why is this happening and in Virginia of all places? Professor Brandon Garrett will examine how the role of adequate legal representation may play in the future of the death penalty in America, drawing on evidence from Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.
Brandon is a Professor of Law at the University of Virginia. His research interests include criminal procedure, wrongful convictions, habeas corpus, corporate crime, scientific evidence, civil rights, civil procedure and constitutional law. Brandon’s recent research includes studies of DNA exonerations and organisational prosecutions. His much acclaimed book, “Convicting the Innocent: Where Criminal Prosecutions Go Wrong”, received an A.B.A. Silver Gavel Award, Honorable Mention and and Constitutional Commentary Award. It has been translated for editions in Japan, Taiwan and China. Brandon’s work is widely cited by courts and he frequently speaks about criminal justice matters before legislative and policy-making bodies.
Details
Date: Monday, 22nd June 2015
Time: 6pm-7pm, followed by drinks
Venue: The Death Penalty Project, 8-9 Frith Street, W1D 3JB
RSVP to [email protected]
