Death Penalty News

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—David Anthony Burke, known by his stage name D4VD, is eligible to receive both life in prison and the death penalty for his alleged involvement in the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.  Burke is facing first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutilating a body. The special circumstances include lying in wait for the victim, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness in an investigation.

The number of death sentences handed out by juries has plunged by more than 90% since the 1990s. On July 8, the Death Penalty Information Center, or DPIC, released its midyear update on capital punishment in the United States. Many of the findings were sadly, disturbingly familiar. For example, racial bias still plays a large role in who gets executed, and the Supreme Court continues to allow executions to proceed even when those being put to death have strong claims of innocence. But there was also encouraging news.

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 17 July 2026: Following yesterday’s execution of Parvin Chardoli at Ghezel Hesar Prison, the number of women executed in Iran since 2010 has reached at least 300. The Islamic Republic of Iran carries out the highest recorded execution of women worldwide while enforcing a system of gender apartheid. In 2025, IHRNGO recorded 48 executions, the highest number since the execution of women began being systematically recorded more than twenty years ago. In 2026, at least eleven women have been executed.

A formal complaint has been filed with the Tennessee Department of Health regarding the conduct of a physician involved in the failed execution of death row inmate Tony Carruthers on May 21, 2026. The complaint, submitted by Carruthers’ sister, Tonya Hervey on July 15, alleges that Dr. Mark Walton Fowler engaged in unethical medical practices during the aborted procedure. The state’s attempt to execute Carruthers was halted after execution team members spent over an hour unsuccessfully attempting to establish a backup intravenous (IV) line. While a primary line was established, the team’s failure to secure the secondary access required by state protocol led Governor Bill Lee to grant a one-year reprieve.

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 16 July 2026: Aref Khoshkar, a “Woman, Life, Freedom” protester, a woman named Parvin Chardoli, Abbas Nesari and two unidentified men were executed for murder charges in Ghezel Hesar Prison. The mass hunger strike by Unit 2 of the prison continued for the third day. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, at least five people were hanged in Ghezel Hesar Prison on 15 July 2026. They were all sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder. The identities of three have been established as Aref Khoshkar, Parvin Chardoli and Abbas Nesari.

Riyadh (AsiaNews) – The Saudi authorities have granted a royal amnesty to around 2,000 Ethiopian prisoners who have been held in the country’s jails for some time. The news was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Addis Ababa in a statement, which added that, following the decree issued by the authorities in Riyadh, Ethiopian officials have already begun the repatriation of the 1,971 compatriots who had been held in prison until now. However, whilst this news is being received with satisfaction and hope, the dramatic situation—both human and legal—of the many Ethiopian migrants detained on death row in Saudi Arabia remains unresolved, as they await the carrying out of the death penalty amidst suffering and false hopes.

Iranian authorities executed a Kurdish man convicted on drug-related charges at Tabriz Central Prison. His execution comes one month after the death of his wife, leaving their 12-year-old child without either parent. According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Salman Kakehkhani, a Kurdish prisoner from Baneh, was executed at dawn on July 14, 2026, at Tabriz Central Prison. Sources familiar with the case said Kakehkhani was arrested in 2023 by law enforcement authorities on charges related to the transportation and possession of narcotics. He was later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in Tabriz.

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 15 July 2026: State media reported the execution of Mohammad Amini Dehaghani in connection to the January 2026 protests at an undisclosed location. No independent information is available about his case. Mohammad is the 21st protester to be executed in relation to the protests since 19 March. Condemning Mohammad’s execution in the strongest terms, IHRNGO warns about the further escalation of executions in the coming weeks.

Federal prosecutors say Clarence A. Frazier Jr. barricaded himself inside his home before allegedly opening fire on federal officers A Louisiana man has been charged with murder after allegedly killing a deputy U.S. marshal who was shot while serving an arrest warrant, federal officials announced Tuesday. Multiple law enforcement officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant related to a prior sexual battery charge when Clarence A. Frazier Jr., 48, of Alexandria, allegedly barricaded himself inside his home and opened fire, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana.

In an unprecedented move in the modern history of capital punishment, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday cleared the way for 2 executions to occur on the same day.  DeSantis reset the execution of James Duckett, whose execution earlier this year was stayed amid efforts to secure DNA testing and analysis of evidence in his case.  Duckett’s execution was reset for July 28. That is the same day previously set for the execution of Dominick Occhicone.  Court records indicate that Duckett’s execution is scheduled for noon. Occhicone’s is set to follow at 6 p.m. 

Man, 74, becomes oldest inmate executed in Florida in state’s 10th lethal injection this year  Florida put to death one of its oldest prisoners in its history on Tuesday, a 74-year-old convicted murderer who was 1 of 3 older inmates scheduled for execution within the span of a month in the nation’s busiest death penalty state.  Dennis Sochor was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m. following a 3-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, the office of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said. He was convicted of killing a woman on Jan. 1, 1982, just hours after meeting her at a New Year’s Eve party. 

An entire category of food is also off-limits for final meal requests in Florida Florida is currently preparing to execute its oldest inmate later today (July 14), a 74-year-old convicted murderer who has been on death row since the 1980s—but his final meal will be limited by a strict budget. Dennis Sochor is scheduled to be put to death later today, making history as the oldest inmate to ever be executed in the state. The criminal, who has been on death row for nearly 40 years, will be administered the lethal three-drug injection, with the process due to begin at around 6pm.

In an effort to counter rising political dissent, North Korea has toughened its criminal code and imposed the death penalty for crimes against the state, according to South Korean intelligence sources.  Following revisions to the country's criminal code introduced in April, those found guilty of participating in armed uprisings now face life imprisonment or execution. Previously, they faced 10 years in a labour camp. 

The death penalty would not solve Fiji’s drug problem.  Former chief justice Daniel Fatiaki shared this yesterday while responding to calls for capital punishment for drug offenders, arguing that addiction should be treated as a health issue rather than punished as a crime.  Mr. Fatiaki said countries that impose the death penalty for drug crimes have not provided a model Fiji should follow.  “We (Fiji) used to have the death penalty. George Speight will tell you he got a death sentence given to him,” Mr. Fatiaki said.  He also said his opposition to the death penalty was rooted in his Christian faith, saying he believed the taking of life should not be left to people.  “But I’m Christian, and I believe in the Ten Commandments, and one of them says, Thou shalt not kill. And that’s all there is to it.”  Mr. Fatiaki said taking a person’s life was not the answer to addressing the country’s growing drug crisis and instead urged greater investment in rehabilita...

Iranian authorities have secretly executed Jabbar Khadem and Hosseinali Zamani, convicted on drug-related charges, at Shiraz Central Prison, also known as Adelabad Prison. According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Hosseinali Zamani and Jabbar Khadem were executed at dawn on July 7, 2026, at Shiraz Central Prison. Both men had previously been transferred from Pirbanoo Prison to Adelabad Prison ahead of their executions. Sources familiar with the case said prison officials carried out the executions without prior notice to the men’s families, depriving them of the opportunity for a final visit.

Three years after the rape and murder of a US tourist near Neuschwanstein Castle, the convicted man, also from the United States, is contesting his extradition from Germany. The 33-year-old pushed two young women down a slope of around 50 metres during a visit to the world-famous castle. A 21-year-old later died in hospital and her friend was injured. The man raped and strangled the 21-year-old before pushing her over the edge. Kempten Regional Court sentenced him to life in prison for murder, attempted murder and rape resulting in death. The foreigners' office in the area then issued a deportation order against the convicted murderer.

BOISE (Idaho Statesman) – Days after Idaho made the switch to a firing squad for executions, two Idaho death row prisoners next in line to be put to death sued the state prison system, saying its director withheld information about how she settled on the specifics for carrying out the method. Attorneys for prisoners Thomas Creech and Gerald Pizzuto filed suit this week in state district court against Idaho Department of Correction Director Bree Derrick. In the filing, they called her approval of an updated standard operating procedure for the firing squad and lethal injection as a backup method “arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion and in excess of the statutory authority of the agency.”

Iranian authorities executed Hossein Vahidpour and Farshad Pahlavani, convicted of murder in a joint case, at Semnan Central Prison last month. According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Hossein Vahidpour, 24, and Farshad Pahlavani, 26, were executed at dawn on June 16, 2026, at Semnan Central Prison. Sources familiar with the case said Vahidpour and Pahlavani were arrested about five years ago and accused of killing a friend, identified only as Alireza, in what was described as an honor-related killing.

Dennis Michael Sochor is scheduled to be put to death Tuesday, the 29th person executed by the state in the past 19 months. Dennis Michael Sochor, convicted of strangling an 18-year-old woman he met at a New Year’s celebration in a Broward County bar 44 years ago, is scheduled to die by lethal injection Tuesday at Florida State Prison. His last wish? To have Gov. Ron DeSantis personally observe his execution up close and personal.