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Communist Vietnam's secret death penalty conveyor belt: How country trails only China and Iran for 'astonishing' number of executions

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Prisoners are dragged from their cells at 4am without warning to be given a lethal injection Vietnam's use of the death penalty has been thrust into the spotlight after a real estate tycoon was on Thursday sentenced to be executed in one of the biggest corruption cases in the country's history. Truong My Lan, a businesswoman who chaired a sprawling company that developed luxury apartments, hotels, offices and shopping malls, was arrested in 2022.

Mississippi death penalty case before U.S. Supreme Court

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The U.S. Supreme Court will consider Jan. 10 whether to hear an appeal from a woman on Mississippi's death row who is seeking a new trial in the slaying of her husband based on claims that she was abused.

Court officials say a decision could be announced shortly after the court conference.

Michelle Byrom says she deserves a new trial because her original lawyer failed to present what could have been evidence of physical and sexual abuse by her husband.

Prosecutors argue the abuse issue was raised at her trial and rejected by the sentencing judge.

Byrom was convicted of capital murder in 2000. She was sentenced to death.

Court records show Edward Byrom Sr., an electrician, was shot June 4, 1999, at the couple's home in Iuka.

Source: Associated Press, December 18, 2013
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