Capital punishment in American Samoa

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States. The only crime punishable by death is first degree murder, but American Samoa last executed a prisoner in the 1930s; the method used was hanging.[1]

Statutes require the jury to be unanimous to decide the sentence. The judge cannot impose the death penalty if the jury fails to agree on the punishment. It is unclear, however, whether in that event he can order a penalty retrial or must impose a life sentence. The only other penalty allowed for first-degree murder is life with 40 years without parole. Statutes also provide no method of execution.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Witnesses all agree repealing death penalty is a must". Samoa News. September 27, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  2. ↑ http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=749&Itemid=172
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