[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide
July 12 JAPAN70-year-old female could face death penalty Japan: 70-year-old woman accused of multiple insurance murders admits to killingA woman dubbed the 'Black Widow' who allegedly murdered multiple men for insurance money could face death penalty and says 'give me the drug now.' A 70-year-old woman could face the death penalty after being accused of multiple murders for insurance benefits. Channel News Asia reported that Chisako Kakehi has been dubbed the "#Black Widow," by Japanese media for her propensity to kill off the male once she is done with them. She surprised reporters when she was questioned about the possibility of facing the death sentence. Asahi quoted her as saying "I'd be happy to die if you give me a drug now." Through history, women have often chosen poison to dispose of their unwanted male partners, and true to form it is alleged that Chisako used cyanide to kill at least 1 of the men in her life. She is on trial for the murder of 2 lovers, her 4th husband of just 2 months and an attempted murder of a 4th man. CNN covered the story 2 1/2 years ago when Chisako was being questioned by the police about a recent death. At that time she said that she had not killed anyone as she was incapable of it. CNN reported that over a period of 20 years, the police believe she killed at least 5 men to get their insurance money. On Monday this week, now standing trial for the murders, Fuji television network Asahi reported that the "Black Widow" stunned the court when she admitted to killing her husband in 2013. "I was waiting for the right timing as I wanted to kill him out of deep hatred," she said, but she later reportedly said that the killing was just about money. (source: blastingnews.com) PAKISTAN: Pakistan stated to have 'gone over the limit' with death penalty Justice Project Pakistan held a screening on Tuesday to show Pakistan's 1st ever review under the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) before the UN???s Human Rights Committee in Geneva. During the review, screened by the JPP at SAFMA centre, the severity and use of the Pakistan's death penalty was widely questioned. Yadh Ben Achour, a member of the committee, asked whether the moratorium would be re-established. He added that Pakistan must abide by the penalty minimally and with prudence. "Although Pakistan justifies its use of the death penalty because of the APS attack in Peshawar, the death penalty is applicable to those committing other 27 death-eligible crimes, many of which are not fatal. All Muslim countries are dealing with terrorism and Pakistan is not an exception. Nevertheless, it must abide by minimum standards." The committee also stated that only a small fraction of executions carried out were over terrorism charges. "Pakistan has the right to defend itself against terrorism, but [it] need[s] to apply the death penalty with prudence," Achour stated. While Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Kamran Michael stated that there is some flexibility in the interpretation of the "most serious crimes," the committee reiterated that Pakistan has "gone over the limit" by issuing death sentences to those convicted of drug trafficking, having sexual relationships outside of marriage, or blasphemy. It demanded Pakistan to limit its application of the death penalty by ensuring that it remains fully exceptional, is reserved for only the most serious crimes, and is not used to execute minors under the age of 18. Pakistan has stated that "the death penalty is imposed after due process and in the case of most serious crimes only." It was also clarified that the death penalty would not be applicable on an individual who was below 18 years of age. The UN committee called for better implementation of the penalty in Pakistan. It stated that there was a need for judges to be effectively trained and violence by state authorities to be prevented, preferably outlawed. The committee also questioned why the National Commission on Human Rights chairman was not allowed to attend the review, and why the body had been put under the protection of the Ministry of Human Rights. The lack of a consular protection policy for Pakistanis on death row abroad was also highlighted by the committee - a cause taken up by the Lahore High Court - which expressed serious concern about the high number of Pakistanis executed by Saudi Arabia. JPP Executive Director Sarah Belal urged the government to reform and engage with the civil society which could help them answer impending questions pertaining to the issue at hand. "The road ahead is long and there is much to be done. We look forward to the Pakistan's detailed response tomorrow," said Belal, referring to day 2 of the committee's meeting being held today. Rights activists, along with members of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, Family Planning Association of Pakistan
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS, FLA., IND., MO., KAN., UTAH, ORE., USA
July 12 TEXAS: Death row inmate who shot in-laws in Fredericksburg granted evaluation The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit sided with a Texas death row inmate, ordering on Tuesday that Scott Panetti's case be returned to a federal district court in Kerr County with orders to appoint counsel, authorize funds for a mental health evaluation and allow adequate time to prepare a petition raising the claim he is currently incompetent to be executed. Panetti, who suffers from schizophrenia, shot and killed his in-laws in Fredericksburg in 1992. Dressed as a cowboy, he insisted on representing himself at his trial and attempted to subpoena the Pope, John F. Kennedy and Jesus Christ. Panetti was found guilty and sentenced to death. Panetti has twice been granted a stay of execution, in 2004 and 2014. In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Panetti's execution, saying lower courts should have considered psychiatric evidence about his mental illness. His attorneys, Greg Wiercioch and Kathryn Kase released a statement Tuesday saying Panetti has suffered from extreme mental illness for nearly 40 years and has not been evaluated by a mental health expert since 2007. A defendant must be found competent in order to be executed. Competency is defined by state laws as being aware of what is going on in the case. Panetti's attorneys said he was convinced the reason was going to be executed in 2014 was for preaching the gospel. His attorneys released a statement: "We are grateful that the court found that Mr. Panetti's nearly 4 decades of documented schizophrenia and severe mental illness provided a sufficient showing to obtain experts and resources to pursue the claim that he is currently incompetent for execution. And we are grateful to the Texas Defender Service for their support, which allowed us to obtain a stay and to litigate on behalf of Mr. Panetti in the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Panetti has not been evaluated by any mental health experts since 2007 and his severe mental illness has only worsened while in prison. We are confident that when the lower court is presented with all the evidence, it will find that Mr. Panetti, a schizophrenic man ... is not now competent for execution. Ultimately, commuting Mr. Panetti's sentence to life in prison without parole would keep the public safe and affirm our shared beliefs in a humane and moral justice system.: (source: Austin American-Statesman) *** Windows On Death Row: Boiling Down the Death Penalty to a Single FrameAn exhibit at the University of Houston-Downtown showcases editorial cartoons about the death penalty and artwork by inmates, some of them on death row. "Windows on Death Row: Art from Inside and Outside the Prison Walls" is on display through July 31. An editorial cartoon about the death penalty from the Houston Chronicle's Nick Anderson, which is part of the exhibit "Windows on Death Row: Art From Inside and Outside the Prison Walls." How do you encapsulate an issue as complex and sensitive as capital punishment into an editorial cartoon or a painting? A traveling exhibit looks to answer that question at the O'Kane Gallery at the University of Houston-Downtown through July 31, 2017. "Windows on Death Row: Art from Inside and Outside the Prison Walls" features more than 60 pieces of artwork on the subject of the death penalty from political cartoonists and prison inmates on death row. It includes work from Nick Anderson, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for the Houston Chronicle. Michael Hagerty recently visited the exhibit to take a look at the artwork and to talk with Dr. Krista Gehring, an assistant criminal justice professor at the University of Houston-Downtown. (source: houstonpublicmedia.org) FLORIDA: Trial begins for St. Cloud man accused of fatally beating infant son The murder trial of a St. Cloud man accused of killing his 3-month-old son in 2013 will begin Wednesday morning. Investigators said Larry Perry beat Ayden Perry so badly at their home that the boy died at a hospital. Archie Guzman, Perry's neighbor at the time, told Channel 9 in 2013 that she often babysat the child for Larry Perry and his girlfriend. Guzman said the beating was so loud that she could hear it from next door. "I was coming into the kitchen, and all of a sudden I heard boom," she said. "He didn't mean to. I can feel it, because he just snapped." Larry Perry told investigators that he harmed his son, because he couldn't take it anymore, an arrest report said. Larry Perry faces the death penalty if convicted. The case was 1 of 24 that Florida Gov. Rick Scott reassigned from State Attorney Aramis Ayala to State Attorney Brad King after she announced she wouldn't pursue the death penalty during her tenure. Opening statements will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday. (source: WFTV news) Ayala's Office Operating With $1.3M Budget Cut In Rift Over
