Thirteen states include non-homicide crimes in their death penalty statutes. These crimes include treason, kidnapping, hijacking, and hostage taking. Most states suspend an execution or prohibit conviction of an insane person. But an execution can take place if the person regains his sanity. In a few states, such as Alabama, extreme mental or emotional disturbance is a mitigating factor.
Several states specify that an execution is suspended while a woman is pregnant.
Several different methods of execution are used in the states. Some allow more than one method of execution or, due to a legislative change, one method is used for people convicted after a specific date. Other states provide that one method is used if another is unavailable or is declared unconstitutional. Lethal injection is a method of execution in 35 states, electrocution in 11, lethal gas in five, hanging in three, and firing squad in three. Most states set a minimum age for a person to be subject to the death penalty.