History




 * The first known execution in the U.S. was in 1806 of Captain George Kendall.
 * He was executed by a firing squad
 * He was being punished for sowing discord, mutiny, and being a British spy.
 * Since the execution of Kendall the death penalty has been a firm source of punishment.
 * The idea behind the death penalty in the U.S. was greatly influenced by the British.
 * When the U.S. first started using the death penalty, it was during the times of when America was outlined by colonies.
 * The laws regarding the death penalty varied from colony to colony.
 * EX. The New York colony introduced Duke’s Laws of 1665 stating that striking one’s mother or father or denying God as our savior was all punishable by death.
 * During the 19th century the laws regarding the death penalty changed greatly becoming more civil also; many states removed it as a punishment for crime.
 * In 1834 Pennsylvania was the first state to move executions to an enclosed room rather then the public eye.
 * In 1846, Michigan banned the use of it except for when citizens committed treason.
 * Rhode Island and, Wisconsin were the first to remove the penalty for all crimes.
 * However, during the early to mid 20th century is where the most reform for the laws were giving.
 * From 1907 – 1917 six states completely removed the death penalty as a punishment.
 * In 1924, the use of cyanide gas was introduced, as Nevada sought a more humane way of executing its inmates.
 * Gee Jon was the first inmate to be executed in this fashion.