President Joe Biden announced the commutation of 37 federal death row inmates to life in prison (ABC). This is a great gesture as he prepares to leave office. The Catholic Church and many other Christian denominations oppose the death penalty.
This is in contrast to the last minute execution fest by Donald Trump and William Barr at the end of their administration in 2020 and 2021 before Biden took office. They knew Biden would put a moratorium on executions when he stepped in. Here is one example.
Related; Fuller picture emerges of the 13 federal executions at the end of Trump’s presidency APNews
This is the chart of Jimi Hendrix (Johnny Allen Hedrix November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970). He was one of the most influential guitarists that ever lived. His style and music is still emulated. He had numerous hits and was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. He died in St Mary Abbots Hospital in London of drug induced asphyxia (drowning).
This is the chart of Dustin Higgs (March 10, 1972 – January 16, 2021). Higgs was the last person executed by the Trump administration. Attorney General William Barr’s << DOJ appealed a stay of his execution to the Supreme Court and the way was cleared to carry out the sentence. The rush by Donald Trump‘s administration to execute prisoners before Biden takes office is unusual. It would not have been possible without the majority of Republican appointments to the Supreme Court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s scathing dissenting opinion can be read in Courtroom Strategy.com. See this related post.
Higgs was sentenced to death for his involvement in the murder of three young women in 1996. The actual shooter, Willis Haynes negotiated for life in prison by testifying against Higgs. The other man in the vehicle, Victor Gloria, negotiated a 7 year sentence (down from 15) as an accessory by testifying against Higgs. They said in court that he had ordered the killings. Both later recanted their statements. Evidence shows that Haynes was the one who killed the women.
Related; Case Study 1 (Stevie Ray Vaughn) / Case Study 37 (victim of 38) / Case Study 38 (recently executed)