Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s planned execution spree underlines death penalty’s errors

Published

3 years ago

July 9, 2022

Oklahoma’s planned execution spree underlines death penalty’s errors

On July 2, Oklahoma introduced a plan to execute 25 inmates over the subsequent 29 months. The primary is scheduled for Aug. 25, with subsequent executions each 4 weeks. If Oklahoma sticks to this schedule, multiple half of the inmates presently on its loss of life row can be useless by the tip of 2024.

The state’s deliberate execution spree is unprecedented in its historical past, however it rivals related ones in states like Texas and Arkansas, and within the federal loss of life penalty underneath former President Trump.

Turning on the spigot after a protracted interval with no or few executions is a well-known sample in America’s loss of life penalty system. However within the rush to execute, whether or not in Oklahoma or elsewhere, errors inevitably can be made, and injustices tolerated fairly than addressed.

In reality, the entire obvious errors within the American loss of life penalty system can be horribly on view if these executions go ahead — punishment of those that are disabled or mentally sick, botched executions, proceedings the place authorized counsel has been insufficient, and probably even execution of those that had been harmless within the first place.

Since 1976, Oklahoma is second solely to Texas within the variety of folks it has executed. Over the course of its historical past, Oklahoma has executed a complete of 196 males and three ladies between 1915 and 2022.

However within the 5 years between the beginning of 2016 and the tip of 2020, it put nobody to loss of life.

Its executions had been placed on maintain following 2014’s horribly botched execution of Clayton Lockett and Richard Glossip’s close to miss in September, 2015, when state officers halted his execution after they realized that they had been about to lethally inject him with the improper drug.

Oklahoma executions resumed in 2021 when two inmates had been put to loss of life, together with John Grant, who convulsed a number of instances and vomited earlier than dying in October of final 12 months. Two different inmates have been executed up to now this 12 months.

Shortly after a federal district choose discovered the state’s execution protocol to be constitutional final month, Oklahoma’s legal professional basic requested the Courtroom of Felony Appeals to set the execution dates for 25 loss of life row inmates. He urged the courtroom to supply justice for the households whose family members had been murdered by setting execution dates on an accelerated schedule.

During the last 25 years, Texas set the usual for mass processing executions.

Yearly, from 1997-2015, the state put not less than 10 folks to loss of life. And in some years, its execution totals had been within the a number of dozens. In 1997, for instance, it averaged greater than three executions a month, and in 2000, it put 40 folks to loss of life.

Texas was in a position to perform executions in bulk by ignoring critical issues that plagued its loss of life penalty system.

As a 2002 ACLU report famous, “The Texas Courtroom of Felony Appeals for instance, has compelled attorneys to stay on capital instances even when the attorneys themselves expressed doubts about their potential to deal with such instances. The state company has in actual fact denied aid to 2 loss of life row inmates whose attorneys slept by trial.”

Furthermore, the state brushed apart a disturbing sample of racial discrimination in loss of life sentencing. From 2009-2018, 75 % of these sentenced to loss of life in Texas had been folks of colour.

Taking a look at an extended interval — from 1973 by 2021 — 16 individuals who had been convicted and sentenced to loss of life had been subsequently exonerated. There’s additionally proof that the state could have executed a number of harmless folks.

Turning from Texas to Arkansas, in April 2017, with its provide of deadly injection medicine about to run out and with 32 inmates nonetheless on its loss of life row, Arkansas adopted Texas’s instance and introduced that it could carry out eight executions over an 11-day interval. Although authorized issues in the end halted half of them, 4 had been carried out as initially deliberate. They had been all performed with a cocktail of deadly medicine that Arkansas had by no means earlier than employed.

There’s proof to recommend that one of many 4 folks Arkansas put to loss of life throughout its execution spree was probably harmless of the crime for which he was convicted. And the executions the opposite three, every of whom had suffered vital abuse throughout their lives or vital cognitive deficits, had been marked by troublesome mishaps, not stunning when velocity appears to be the premium.

The Trump administration provided a 3rd instance of the push to execute within the second half of 2020 and within the run as much as the beginning of President Biden’s time period in January 2021. Throughout that interval, it put 13 folks to loss of life.

An in depth look reveals that the federal loss of life penalty isn’t reserved for the “worst of the worst.” The Dying Penalty Info Middle discovered that 85 % of these on federal loss of life row had “not less than one critical impairment that considerably reduces their culpability, and 63 % had two or extra of those impairments.” The DPIC additionally reported that one-half had been mentally sick, affected by illnesses equivalent to schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress dysfunction or psychosis. Three quarters had been the victims of bodily abuse and trauma throughout childhood; consequently, one-third had developmental mind harm or traumatic mind harm.

It’s thus not stunning {that a} related sample would seem amongst these the feds selected to place to loss of life: 9 of the 13 had vital mental disabilities, extreme psychological sickness, and/or histories of abuse. The Trump administration executed them anyway.

Turning again to what’s unfolding in Oklahoma, the Dying Penalty Info Middle notes that, as was the case in Texas, Arkansas and within the current federal executions, “The prisoners slated for execution … are disproportionally people with critical psychological well being points and vital defects of their trial and appellate proceedings. Lots of the prisoners,” the DPIC stated, “are severely mentally sick … At the least 5 have mind harm. Others skilled extreme trauma, obtained harsher sentences than less-culpable co-defendants, or had insufficient illustration at trial.”

And the proof of innocence in not less than one case, that of Richard Glossip, is so sturdy that Republican legislators in Oklahoma have expressed reservations about executing him.

Current historical past teaches that when jurisdictions rush to execute or execute in bulk, they shine a harsh gentle on the defects that proceed to plague America’s loss of life penalty system.

Oklahoma can be no exception.

Austin Sarat is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence & Political Science at Amherst School and the creator of “Deadly Injection and the False Promise of Humane Execution.” Comply with him on Twitter @ljstprof

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Oklahoma

Which NFL playoff teams have players with Oklahoma ties? We break it down

Published

22 minutes ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Which NFL playoff teams have players with Oklahoma ties? We break it down

The NFL Playoffs are upon us, and every team that made the postseason has at least one player with connections to our state. Some played Oklahoma high school football. Others spent all or some of their college years here at OU, Oklahoma State or elsewhere.

Here’s a look at the NFL players with a chance at a Super Bowl LIX ring:

Los Angeles Chargers

Tony Jefferson, S, OU: Came out of retirement this season after spending a year as a scout for the Ravens. Spent time on the practice squad, but played in five of the Chargers last six regular season games.

Houston Texans

Joe Mixon, RB, OU: After spending his first seven seasons in Cincinnati, Mixon had a Pro Bowl season in Houston, rushing for over 1,000 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren, RB, OSU: Took a small step back behind Najee Harris, rushing for a career-low 511 yards. But Warren was sidelined for a couple of games with a back injury and has been strong of late.

Devin Harper, LB, OSU: Has been on Pittsburgh’s practice squad all season after being waived by Cincinnati.

Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrews, TE, OU: Arguably the best tight end in football. Has a career-high 11 touchdown catches this season after escaping injury in August when he was involved in a major car accident.

Justice Hill, RB, Tulsa Booker T. Washington HS/OSU: Back-up to standout Derrick Henry. Hill missed the last two games of the regular season after suffering a concussion.

Charlie Kolar, TE, Norman North HS: The third leg of the Ravens’ talented tight end group, pairing with Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Kolar, who went to Iowa State, has a career-high nine catches and 131 receiving yards.

Tylan Wallace, WR, OSU: Having a career year in his fourth season with the Ravens, catching a career-high 11 passes for 193 yards. Scored his first NFL receiving touchdown in Week 10 against the Bengals.

Denver Broncos

Nik Bonitto, LB, OU: A first-time Pro Bowler who has been mentioned in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. Has 13.5 sacks, the first Bronco with double-digit sacks since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

Marvin Mims, WR, OU: Another Pro Bowler. Speedy wideout is second on the team with 503 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. Also returns punts and kicks.

Ben Powers, OL, OU: Started every game for the Broncos at left guard. Third consecutive season he has logged over 1,000 snaps, the first in Baltimore, the last two in Denver.

Delarrin Turner-Yell, S, OU: On the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Has not played a snap for the Broncos this season.

Tanner McCalister, DB, OSU: On the practice squad. Spent his final college season (2022) at Ohio State after four years in Stillwater.

Buffalo Bills

Jordan Phillips, DT, OU: Has played in five games since being released by Dallas in November and signed the very next day by Buffalo. Played for the Bills in two previous stints.

Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs, RB, Tulsa McLain HS: Rushed for a team-high 1,329 yards in his first season with the Packers. The Alabama product has a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns, too.

Alex Hale, K, OSU: Has spent his entire rookie season on the Packers’ practice squad.

Marquis Hayes, OL, OU: On the practice squad. Second-year pro has yet to make his NFL debut.

Philadelphia Eagles

Grant Calcaterra, TE, OU: Started a career-high 13 games, logging career bests in catches (24) and receiving yards (298). After medically retiring and leaving OU following the 2019 season, finished his college career at SMU.

Jalen Hurts, QB, OU: In the MVP hunt before Philly sidekick Saquon Barkley stole everyone’s spotlight. Hurts missed the Eagles’ last two regular season games after suffering a concussion.

Lane Johnson, OL, OU: Earned his fifth invitation to the Pro Bowl this season. May well add another All-Pro honor. Made 14 starts at right tackle.

Washington Commanders

Tyler Ott, LS, Jenks HS: Tenth-year pro who played collegiately at Harvard is in his first season with Washington. Named a Pro Bowl alternate.

Chris Paul, OL, Tulsa: Guard has played in six games this season as a reserve.

Tress Way, P, Tulsa Union HS/OU: Making only his second playoff appearance in 11 seasons in Washington. The team captain and fan favorite set the franchise record for career punting yards earlier this season.

Austin Seibert, K, OU: Has been on injured reserve since missing a field goal and two extra points against Dallas. Made all his PATs and 27 of 29 field goals before that. Missed the two games prior with a hip injury.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield, QB, OU: Having his best pro season, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus passing grade of 82.4 ranks just behind Josh Allen, ahead of Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes.

Sterling Shepard, WR, Heritage Hall HS/OU: Resurrected his career in Tampa Bay. After eight seasons with the Giants, the last two of which were rough, Shepard has 32 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown.

Minnesota Vikings

Brian Asamoah, LB, OU: Reserve has played in 14 games this season, his third in Minnesota.

Jalen Redmond, DL, Midwest City HS/OU: One of the best comeback stories this season. Spent last season out of the NFL, then played in the UFL, hooked on with the Vikings’ practice squad but elevated and played in seven of the past eight games, starting two.

Walter Rouse, OL, OU: Made his NFL debut in Week 13 against the Cardinals but has not played otherwise.

Los Angeles Rams

Neville Gallimore, NT, OU: Has played in 14 games and made four starts in his first season with Rams. Spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Dallas.

Drake Stoops, WR, OU: Undrafted free agent has spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.

A.J. Green, CB, OSU: Has been on the practice squad all season after spending the previous four seasons in Cleveland.

Kansas City Chiefs

Marquise Brown, WR, OU: Missed the first 14 games of the season due to a shoulder injury. Had nine catches in the two games he played since returning.

Creed Humphrey, OL, Shawnee HS/OU: Continues to build his case as the best center in the NFL. Stalwart and leader of KC’s offensive line. Has made 67 consecutive starts.

Wanya Morris, OL, OU: Second-year pro has made 11 starts this season. Bounced between left tackle and right tackle, the position at which he seems more natural.

Samaje Perine, RB, OU: Reserve power back has played in all of Kansas City’s games this season. Often used in short-yardage situations.

James Winchester, LS, Washington HS/OU: No current long snapper has been more consistent longer. One of only six current players on the Kansas City roster to be part of the franchise’s three most recent Super Bowl titles.

McKade Mettauer, OL, OU: Undrafted free agent signed by Kansas City, then placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during a preseason game.

Detroit Lions

Malcolm Rodriguez, LB, Wagoner HS/OSU: On injured reserve since Week 13 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Chicago. Prior to that, he’d played in 10 games, starting six, with 43 tackles and two sacks.

Did we forget someone? If you know of another player with ties to the state of Oklahoma in the NFL Playoffs, email Jenni Carlson at jcarlson@oklahoman.com.

Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at 405-475-4125 or jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

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Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA STANDARD: Neighbors help clear driveways and streets after snowstorm

Published

12 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

OKLAHOMA STANDARD: Neighbors help clear driveways and streets after snowstorm

TULSA, Okla — Ryder Tackett is a lifelong resident of Tulsa, and he’s happy to enjoy a little snow—but he also doesn’t mind clearing it up for drivers.

“I don’t want my parents slipping out onto the road,” he said.

He told 2News Oklahoma’s Isabel Flores about how he plows his driveway to make sure his parents stay safe after every snowfall.

This year, he said he’d ask his neighbors if they’d like their driveways plowed, too.

FLORES: “Have you seen anyone or have you yourself gone to other houses?”
TACKETT: “Uh no, I think I’m gonna do that actually. I just started.”
FLORES: “Oh wow! So you’re gonna go around?”
TACKETT: “Yeah, I think so, yeah.”

PJ Turner was also outside salting and plowing driveways.

He’s the Land Service Manager with Rancho Flores, a company that specializes in all kinds of yard work.

After all the fallen snow, Turner said it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation.

“We need a community of people, it takes a herd,” he said. “I think the more we help each other out, the better it is for our community. Plus, we can get out here in this fresh air.”

Turner said Rancho Flores plows and sands between one and two hundred driveways in midtown Tulsa and is happy to lend a helping hand.

“It’s a good feeling to be able to help people out, to be able to bring some peace of mind to them,” he said.

Sharing the same sentiment, Ryder said he wants to make sure to keep people safe too.

“I think the importance of cleaning after the snow is probably to make sure no one slides into the road probably, no one gets hit by a car,” he said.

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma State LB Jeff Roberson Headed to Big 10 School

Published

23 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma State LB Jeff Roberson Headed to Big 10 School

Oklahoma State’s most recent transfer portal departure has already found a new home.

On Monday, OSU linebacker Jeff Roberson announced he was entering the transfer portal and looking to close his career elsewhere. Roberson wasted no time finding his next school, as he committed to Minnesota on Thursday.

Roberson began his career at OSU in 2020 and mostly played on special teams and as a backup throughout the first few years of his career. After missing the entire 2022 season with an injury, he came back in 2023 to play largely the same role.

However, his luck changed in 2024. With so many injuries throughout the OSU defense, the Cowboys needed players to step up at every position, and Roberson took advantage. In 2024, Roberson played in every game and finished with 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss and an interception. Before entering the transfer portal, Roberson’s numbers from 2024 would have made him OSU’s leading returning tackler.

Roberson’s departure was about as surprising as any move at OSU this offseason. Considering he had spent the first five seasons of his career in Stillwater and finally carved out a sizeable role last season, it appeared Roberson would carry that momentum into 2025 as a leader of the OSU defense.

Instead, he used his extra opportunity and leap to find a better situation as OSU overhauled its coaching staff and continues to bring in various defensive players through the transfer portal. However, going to Minnesota was the second surprising part of his decision. Early predictions were for Roberson, a Choctaw native, to stay in his home state and play at Oklahoma next season. As he makes his way north to play for PJ Fleck’s team next season, there is no doubt Roberson can have an impact to finish his career.

Want to join the discussion? Like Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

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