|
Year of Reenactment
(since 1972 suspension) |
1974 | |
|
Year of First Execution
(since reenactment) |
1992 | |
|
History
|
1872-1936: hanging |
|
|
Current Method
|
Inmate choice of lethal injection or lethal gas. | |
 |
|
|
California has life without parole. A jury decides the sentence. The Governor has the exclusive authority to grant clemency, unless the prisoner has twice been convicted of a felony; in that case, a recommendation of the State Supreme Court with four justices concurring is necessary. No clemencies have been granted since Furman.
California executed a foreign national, Jaturun Siripongs from Thailand, despite pleas for clemency from that country. California also executed Manuel Babbitt, a former Marine who had been given one of the country's highest medals for being wounded in action. Babbitt suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome after his service in Vietnam.