Capital punishment in the United States
Subtitle: a documentary history
By: edited by Bryan Vila and Cynthia Morris.
Contributors: Vila, Bryan, 1947-; Morris, Cynthia, 1961-
Series: Primary documents in American history and contemporary issues,
Publisher: Greenwood Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Westport, Conn
Language: eng
Number of pages: 337
Subjects: Capital punishment -- United States -- History -- Sources.; Capital punishment -- Law and legislation -- United States -- History.; Capital punishment -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States.; United States -- Politics and government.; United States -- History -- Sources.
Description: Both sides of the highly charged capital punishment debate in the United States are examined in this breakthrough collection of 112 key documents, arranged by historical period. The political and social aspects of the debate are represented through a wide range of documents, including congressional hearings, Supreme Court decisions, position papers, biographical accounts, and news stories.

An explanatory introduction precedes each document to help readers understand how various and seemingly unrelated social, economic and political factors have impacted public attitudes, legislation, and judicial decisions pertaining to capital punishment.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [315]-325) and index.