Capital punishment in Vermont

Capital punishment was abolished in Vermont in 1972.[1][2] The state last executed a prisoner in 1954, when Donald DeMag was put to death for a double robbery-murder he had committed after escaping while serving a life sentence for an earlier murder.

Vermont still has a pre-Furman statute providing death by electrocution for treason.[3]

In 2005, Donald Fell was sentenced to death after being convicted of carjacking with death resulting and kidnapping with death resulting by a federal jury in Vermont.[4] Fell's conviction was overturned in July 2014, owing to "egregious juror misconduct".[5] Fell later pleaded guilty to avoid another sentencing hearing and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in September, 2018.[6]

Summary

Vermont capital punishment summary
Total number of executions: 26 (25 as a state)
DateMethodNameOffense
Date capital punishment was legally abolished1965
Legal methods of execution1778–1919hanging (21)
1919–1972electrocution (5)
First legal execution06-11-1778hangingDavid Reddingtreason
Most recent legal execution12-08-1954electrocutionDonald DeMagmurder

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Vermont: Death Penalty Information Centre". Death Penalty Information Centre. 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Vermont Capital Punishment Law". FindLaw. 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Vermont Laws". legislature.vermont.gov.
  4. ↑ Pre-sentencing claims of psychiatric illness, toxicology issues, and matters relating to future dangerousness were initially raised and were subsequently addressed by expert forensic examination. Once pre-sentencing issues were resolved, Fell’s actions were found to meet the threshold as a capital eligible crime because the following aggravating factors applied: 1. Fell caused the death of King during the commission of the crime of kidnapping, §3592(c)(1); 2. Fell’s behavior was especially heinous, cruel or depraved in that it involved serious physical abuse to King, § 3592(c)(6); and 3. Fell intentionally killed or attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, § 3592(c)(16).
  5. ↑ "Judge orders new trial in Fell case". Burlington Free Press. 2014-07-24.
  6. ↑ https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/vermont/2018/09/20/death-row-inmate-donald-fell-plead-guilty-avoid-death-penalty/1367010002/

References

  • Hearn, Daniel Allen, Legal Executions in New England: A comprehensive reference, 1623–1960 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1999).
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