NCJ Number
47989
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1976) Pages: 37-48
Date Published
1976
Length
12 pages
Annotation
BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH 11 MEN ON DEATH ROW, TOGETHER WITH SUMMARIES OF THEIR CASES, REVEAL A WIDE RANGE OF ATTITUDES TOWARD IMPENDING EXECUTION; THE CASE OF THE YOUNGEST U.S. INMATE ON DEATH ROW IS EXAMINED IN DETAIL.
Abstract
IN 35 STATES, THERE ARE 588 PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW AWAITING EXECUTION. THEY RANGE IN AGE FROM 17 TO 68; 52 PERCENT ARE BLACK, 43 PERCENT ARE WHITE. SOME SEE DEATH AS PREFERABLE TO LIFE IN PRISON; OTHERS LIVE IN HOPE OF RECEIVING A COMMUTATION. MANY PROCLAIM THEIR INNOCENCE, OTHERS HAVE HISTORIES OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS, SOME COMMITTED THEIR OFFENSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHERS WHO RECEIVED LESSER SENTENCES. GEORGE VASIL, NOW 17 YEARS OLD, IS THE YOUNGEST INDIVIDUAL ON DEATH ROW. AT THE TIME OF THE MURDER FOR WHICH HE WAS SENTENCED HE WAS 15. THE CRIME, INVESTIGATION, AND TRIAL ARE DETAILED, AND VASIL IS INTERVIEWED AT LENGTH. HE DOESN'T WANT TO DIE, NOR DOES HE EXPECT TO DIE. HE PUTS HIS FAITH IN AN APPEAL WHICH ARGUES THAT THE DEATH PENALTY IS RANDOMLY APPLIED IN FLORIDA. HIS PARENTS ARE UNSURE OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN. THEY HAD BEEN TOLD THE CASE WOULD NEVER COME TO TRIAL, THAT THE CONVICTION WOULD NOT BE FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, THAT THE DEATH PENALTY WOULD NEVER BE IMPOSED. (JAP)