Death Penalty

Musings from Peter Singer on the death penalty

Michael Cook | 27 October 2011

Somewhat surprisingly, on utilitarian grounds Peter Singer defends the possibility of imposing the death penalty. At this moment, there exists no situation in which it is needed, even for those convicted of genocide. Theoretically, however, there is nothing wrong with it:

Killing the willing

Michael Cook | 21 October 2011

On Thursday (Oct 20), 38-year-old Christopher Johnson was executed by lethal injection in an Alabama prison after only four years on death row. The average time between sentencing and death in the US is currently about 14 years, but Johnson consistently declined to appeal or ask for clemency. He had murdered his six-month-old son to spite his estranged wife.

Death row inmate offers to donate organs

Jared Yee | 10 March 2011

Claims he can make “profound benefit to society”

US anaesthetists banned from participating in executions

Michael Cook | 07 May 2010

Professional body insists on primum, non nocere: first, do no harm