US Executes 25 Individuals in 2024 Amid Steady Death Penalty Trends

The number of executions in the United States in 2024 remained close to historic lows, with most occurring in a few states. Alabama notably became the first state to use nitrogen gas for executions, as highlighted in an annual report on capital punishment by the Death Penalty Information Center. This report was released on the same day Oklahoma carried out its 25th and final execution of the year.

Kevin Ray Underwood was executed by lethal injection for the murder of a 10-year-old girl, which was part of a cannibalistic fantasy. "The dramatic drop in new death sentences over the years, I think is the most current indicator of attitudes and reflects the public's growing reluctance to use the death penalty," stated Robin M. Maher, executive director of the Washington, DC-based nonprofit centre.

Execution Trends and State Contributions

In 2024, four states—Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas—were responsible for 76% of all executions. This year marked the tenth consecutive year with fewer than 30 executions nationwide. The number of new death sentences also remained low, with only 26 issued, continuing a trend of fewer than 50 annually for a decade.

Historically, executions peaked at 98 in 1999 after the Supreme Court lifted its ban on capital punishment in 1976. Since then, there has been a steady decline. "We are seeing a pretty dramatic decrease in the use of the death penalty, especially in states other than your primary players," said Michael Benza, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University.

Innovations and Challenges in Execution Methods

Alabama made history by executing Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas in January. The state used this method again for two more inmates later in September and November. The search for alternative execution methods continues as drugs for lethal injections become scarce.

Only nine states conducted executions in 2024, with seven ranking among the top ten executing states historically. Indiana, South Carolina, and Utah resumed executions after long pauses. Texas had only five executions this year, maintaining single-digit numbers for eight of the last nine years.

Shifts in Support and Legal Interventions

Despite strong support for capital punishment in Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, some conservative lawmakers and prosecutors have backed efforts to halt certain executions. In Texas, a bipartisan group delayed Robert Roberson's execution by subpoenaing him to testify after his scheduled execution date.

In Oklahoma, both lawyers and state prosecutors sought to overturn Richard Glossip's conviction and death sentence at the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Missouri prosecutors and victims' families unsuccessfully petitioned to commute Marcellus Williams' death sentence to life imprisonment.

The Supreme Court's Evolving Role

The US Supreme Court has reduced its involvement in regulating the death penalty. In 2024, it granted only three out of 117 requests from inmates to stay executions or review cases. "They have been very active in denying defendants access to the courts," noted Benza.

The report indicates that while some states continue to uphold capital punishment practices robustly, others are moving towards de facto abolition by not actively carrying out executions. This shift reflects broader changes in public opinion and legal strategies surrounding capital punishment.