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Introduction
The death penalty has been a controversial topic for centuries, and it continues to be a source of heated debate today. The United States is one of the few countries in the world that still has the death penalty, and in the past few decades, the number of executions has decreased significantly. But when was the last hanging in the US? This post will explore the history of hanging in the US, the last execution by hanging, and the current state of the death penalty in the US.
The History of Hanging in the US
Hanging was the most common form of execution in the United States until the late 19th century. It was used to punish a variety of crimes, ranging from murder to treason. In the colonial era, hangings were often public events that were intended to serve as a warning to other potential criminals. The condemned were often paraded through the streets before being taken to the gallows, and the execution was often accompanied by a sermon from a local minister.
The last public hanging in the US took place in Kentucky in 1936. After that, all hangings in the US were private affairs, conducted in prisons or jails. The last prisoner to be executed by hanging in the US was convicted murderer Rainey Bethea, who was hanged in 1936 in Kentucky.
The Last Execution by Hanging
Rainey Bethea was convicted of the rape and murder of a 70-year-old woman in Owensboro, Kentucky. He was sentenced to death by hanging and his execution was scheduled for August 14, 1936. His execution became a media sensation, and it was estimated that more than 20,000 people attended the event. Despite the large crowd, Bethea’s execution was conducted in a professional manner. He was hanged at 12:40 PM and pronounced dead at 12:50 PM.
The Current State of the Death Penalty
Today, the death penalty is still legal in the US, but it is rarely used. Since 1976, only 1,500 people have been executed in the US. Hanging is no longer used as a form of execution, and all executions are now done by lethal injection.
The death penalty is currently legal in 28 states, but only 13 of those states have carried out executions in the past five years. The last execution by lethal injection in the US took place in July 2019.
Public Opinion on the Death Penalty
Public opinion on the death penalty has shifted significantly in the past few decades. In 1994, 80% of Americans supported the death penalty, but that number has dropped to 55% in 2020.
Opponents of the death penalty argue that it is an inhumane and ineffective form of punishment, and that it is disproportionately used against people of color. Supporters of the death penalty argue that it is a necessary form of punishment for the most heinous crimes.
Conclusion
The last hanging in the US took place in 1936, and since then, all executions have been done by lethal injection. The death penalty is still legal in the US, but public opinion on the issue has shifted significantly in the past few decades. Opponents of the death penalty argue that it is an inhumane and ineffective form of punishment, while supporters argue that it is necessary for the most heinous crimes.
