36 states have capital crimes. New Mexico became the latest state to outlaw the death penalty (effective July 1, 2009) joining thirteen other states and the District of Columbia.
There are 41 federal capital crimes in the US (as of May 27, 2008) including genocide, espionage, and treason as well as numerous forms of murder.
1,099 persons were executed in the US from Jan. 1, 1977 to Dec. 31, 2007. Of those, 929 were executed by lethal injection, 154 by electrocution, 11 in the gas chamber, 3 by hanging, and 2 by firing squad.
A lethal injection is normally a combination of three drugs: First, sodium thiopental as anesthesia; second, pancuronium bromide as paralyzer; and third, potassium chloride to induce cardiac arrest. Sixteen states use lethal injection as the sole method of execution.
Nebraska was the last state to use electrocution as its sole method of execution. In the Feb. 8, 2008 Nebraska v. Mata (393KB) decision, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled electrocution as unconstitutional.
Arizona, California, Missouri, and Wyoming use the gas chamber as a method of execution (as of May 30, 2008). Lethal gas is produced by dropping either potassium cyanide or sodium cyanide into a pan of hydrochloric acid.
Delaware, New Hampshire, and Washington authorize hanging as a method of execution (as of April 1, 2008).
Idaho, Oklahoma, and Utah authorize shooting by a firing squad as a method to administer capital punishment (as of April 1, 2008).
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