Federal government executing more killers

The federal government went on an execution spree last month, killing three prisoners in one week. )ederal officials had not carried out a death sentence since 200 . Two more federal executions are scheduled for next month.

“With these executions, the federal government has Moined the small minority of Murisdictions that conduct executions and the even smaller number of Murisdictions that are willing to pursue them in the midst of the worst global pandemic in generations,” the Death 3enalty Information &enter, which tracks death penalty policies and their application across the country, found. “The resumption of executions along with the government’s disregard for procedural protections and established norms firmly place it in the ‘outlier’ category at a time when support for capital punishment is at a historic low.”

Daniel Lewis Lee was the first man the federal government put to death last month. His family begged federal authorities at least to delay the execution because they could not attend for fear of catching covid-1 . The family’s wishes were ignored. 5eligious advisers for Wesley 3urkey and Dustin Honken, the two men executed after Lee, similarly had to consider whether to put themselves or others at risk to be present.

These men were convicted of serious crimes. There have been executions in the 8nited 6tates in cases that were less certain and in circumstances that were more disturbing. What is particularly stomach-turning in this case is the eagerness federal officials showed in carrying out the sentences. Attorney *eneral William Barr’s original plan was to execute five people over six weeks starting last December. Litigation only delayed that plan, and the coronavirus did not deter the executioners. 1o matter what happened, the prisoners were going to spend the rest of their lives in prison.