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Bill of Rights
XI - XX
XXI - XXVII
Eighth Amendment
Protection Against Cruel and Unusual Punishment
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1791
The Eighth Amendment is passed
1878
Execution by public shooting is not "cruel and unusual" punishment
1890
Execution by electrocution is not "cruel and unusual" punishment
1910
Punishment must be appropriate to the offense
1924
Cyanide gas introduced
1947
Second attempt at electrocution, after first atempt fails, is not "cruel and unusual" punishment
1958
"Evolving standards of decency" define whether a penalty is "proportional" to the crime
1972
Most death penalty statutes declared unconstitutional
1976
"Willful indifference" to prisoner's serious medical needs added to list of "cruel and unuaul" punishments
1976
The death penalty is reinstated
1976
Mandatory death sentences ruled unconstitutional
1977
Death penalty ruled unconstitutional for certain crimes
1977
Corporal punishment of schoolchildren not "cruel and unusual"
1978
Isolation of prisoners can be "cruel and unusual" punishment
1980
Mandatory life sentences for "3-strike" offenders are not "cruel and unusual" punishment
1981
"Double celling" in prisons not "cruel and unusual" punishment
1982
Death penalty is unconstitutional for mere accomplices to felony murders
1982
Offender's youth is a mitigating factor in imposing the death penalty
1982
Death penalty can be imposed on some accomplices to felony murder
1983
A new "proportionality" test for criminal penalties is announced
1986
Execution of the insane is banned
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1986
Execution of the insane is banned
In
Ford v. Wainwright
, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that it is "cruel and unusual" punishment to execute an insane offender. The Court also demands that a sentencing court follow specific procedures for deciding whether an offender is mentally competent to be sentenced to death.
Read the related New York Times article.
©06/27/1986 The New York Times
Source:The New York Times
Read the full text of the
Ford v. Wainwright
decision.
Source:Findlaw
1987
Racial disparity in use of death penalty does not amount to "cruel and unusual" punishment
1988
Execution of juveniles found unconstitutional
1989
Execution of persons with mental retardation found constitutional
1991
Court given more leeway on toughter sentences olem v. Helm
1993
Eighth Amendment covers future, not just current, risk of harm
1994
"Deliberate indifference" of prison officials further defined
March 1997
Electric chair malfunction in Florida
July 1999
Another electric chair challenge in Florida
2002
In reversal, Supreme Court finds execution of persons with mental retardation to be unconstitutional
2002
Supreme Court refuses to revisit issue of death penalty for juveniles
2003
Two convicted murderers elect to die by firing squad
2003
Lethal injection drug challenged as "cruel and unusual" punishment
2003
Supreme Court upholds “three-strikes” law
2005
Execution of juveniles seen as cruel and unusual punishment
2006
Death Row inmate has right to challenge form of execution
2006
Kansas sentencing law found unconstitutional
2008
Court Upholds Lethal Injection Method In Ky.
2008
Court Rejects Death Penalty For Child Rape
2008
Murder Victim's Statements Cannot Be Used At Trial