The History of Capital Punishment in California, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation February 1972 History of Capital Punishment in California 900 death sentences "The History of Capital Punishment in California" Treason and train wrecking primary method in 1937 was reinstated the 1970s lethal injection has been the primary method of execution primary method in 1937 Capital punishment in California banned three-drug executions a prisoner was executed by the state History of Capital Punishment in California lethal injection has been the primary method of execution