International Death Penalty News 2024, Issue 41: Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United States of America

Iran

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, 21-year-old Amir Parsa Hassanzadeh was executed in Isfahan Central Prison.  He was arrested about three years ago and convicted of murder before being sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered.  After conviction, the family of the deceased chooses between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or demanding qisas (retribution in kind).  Amir’s execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, 21-year-old Mojtaba Zaverani was executed in Birjand Central Prison.  He was convicted and executed on drug-related charges.  Mojtaba was arrested when he was 19 years old.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 24-year-old Nima Farahmand (Pishgar) and Mehdi Khorasan were executed in Ilam Central Prison.  Both men were convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered.  After conviction, the family of the deceased chooses between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or demanding qisas (retribution in kind).  State officials and the media have not yet reported their executions.  

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 39-year-old Mostafa Kavandi and 36-year-old Ali Bahrami were executed at Zanjan Central Prison.  Both men were convicted of carrying narcotic drugs.  Their executions have not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 35-year-old Ghafar Hivechi was executed in Gonbad Kavous Prison.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered.  After conviction, the family of the deceased chooses between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or demanding qisas (retribution in kind).  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Akhtar Ghorbanlu was executed in Ahar Prison.  When Akhtar was 17 years of age, she was forced to marry a man 18 years older than her, against her will.  She was convicted of killing him with pills.  Following her conviction, Akhtar was sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind. Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered.  After conviction, the family of the deceased chooses between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or demanding qisas (retribution in kind).  State officials and the media have not yet reported her execution.  

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 41-year-old Zahra Feizi was executed in Tabriz Central Prison.  Executions are traditionally carried out by hanging.  Zahra is the 18th woman to be executed so far this year in Iran.  Zahra was convicted of murdering her husband about four years ago.  The family of her deceased husband had asked that they receive diya, or monetary compensation, for his death, however, Zahra and her family were unable to raise the amount demanded, resulting in Zahra’s execution.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered.  After conviction, the family of the deceased chooses between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or demanding qisas (retribution in kind).  In some cases, such as with Zahra, the family can demand diya and, if the amount demanded is not raised, the condemned is executed.  Zahra’s execution has not yet been reported by state officials or the media.

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 32-year-old Vahid Norouzi was executed in Mashhad Central Prison.  Vahid was convicted of murder about two years ago and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  The man he killed was harassing a girl and Vahid was trying to defend the girl.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered.  After conviction, the family of the deceased chooses between granting forgiveness, demanding diya (blood money), or demanding qisas (retribution in kind).  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 52-year-old Ayat Abdolfathi was executed in Ahvaz Sepidar Prison.  Ayat was an estate agent before his arrest and had four children.  He was arrested and convicted on drug-related charges.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Thursday, October 3, 2024, a 53-year-old unnamed was executed in Torbat Heidarieh Prison, likely by hanging.  The man was arrested about four years ago.  He was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered.  After conviction, the family of the deceased chooses between granting forgiveness, demanding diya, or demanding qisas. 

On Thursday, October 3, 2024, 5-year-old Hamed Hariri and 29-year-old Reza Soleimanzadeh were executed in Gorgan Central Prison.  Executions are traditionally carried out by hanging.  Reza was arrested about three years ago for performing an honor killing.  He was sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Hamed was convicted of raping and murdering a girl and received a death sentence for each charge.  Reports indicate that he was executed for the rape charge.  Neither execution has yet been reported by state officials or the media.  

On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Tayeb Mansour was executed in Isfahan Central Prison.  He was convicted of murdering a friend over a financial dispute and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.  Tayeb argued that he did not intend to murder his friend and that the death was accidental after the dispute became physical.  The family of the victim demanded qisas, even after Tayeb’s family offered to pay diya (blood money).  Under Iranian law, all killings are considered intentional murder and mitigating evidence is rarely considered.  After conviction, the family of the deceased chooses between granting forgiveness, demanding diya, or demanding qisas.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, 45-year-old Habibollah Mohammadzehi, a Baluch ethnic minority, was executed in Bam Prison.  He was convicted and sentenced to death on drug-related charges.  He was arrested about three years ago.  Officials did not allow his family to have a final visit before his execution.  State officials and the media have not yet reported his execution.  

Japan

Prosecutors have announced that they will not appeal the acquittal of 88-year-old Iwao Hakamada.  Iwao spent 46 years on death row awaiting execution after being falsely convicted of murdering four people.  Eventually, it was discovered that police tampered with evidence to ensure a conviction.  Earlier this year, he was acquitted and released from prison.  In announcing that they would not pursue further legal proceedings against Iwao, the prosecutor also spoke out against the conclusion that evidence was fabricated, stating she was “deeply dissatisfied.”  Iwao is only the fifth death row inmate to be granted a retrial in post-war Japan.  The inmates in the four previous cases were also granted exonerations.

Malaysia

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, a former policeman, Azilah Hadri, had his death penalty set aside and will instead serve a prison sentence of 40 years, along with receiving 12 strokes from a cane.  Hadri was sentenced to death after being convicted of murdering 28-year-old Altantuya Shaariibuu, a model and interpreter to a former associate of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, in 2006.  Last year, Malaysia abolished mandatory death sentences, which led to all death row inmates requesting that their cases be reviewed.  Hadri’s reduction in sentence is due to his review.  The father of the victim supported reducing Hadri’s sentence, citing respect for the sanctity of life.

A father has had his death sentence reduced to 40 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane.  He is to be given credit for time already served.  Forty-six-year-old M. Murthy was sentenced to death for murdering two-year-old M. Ruthren on January 20, 2007.  Murthy killed Ruthren by standing on his head because he would not stop crying.  Lawyers for Murthy argued that he suffers from several severe mental disorders and cannot be held accountable for his actions.  Murthy’s resentencing comes after Malaysia recently repealed its mandatory death penalty law.  Following the repeal, all death row inmates filed requests to have their cases reviewed.  

Saudi Arabia

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, an unnamed Filipino national was executed in Saudi Arabia despite attempts to stop it by the Philippine government.  Little information has been revealed about the case to the public, as the family requested privacy.  Allegedly, the Filipino was arrested in 2020 and accused of murder.  Executions in Saudi Arabia are usually carried out by beheading with a sword.

United States of America

In September 2024, Netflix released a series examining the crime committed by Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently in prison for life in California.  The brothers were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills in 1989.  Prosecutors alleged that the boys were after their father’s money.  In the days following the murders, the brothers spent large amounts of cash on watches, cars, and luxury property.  While they were convicted and sentenced to prison, the brothers also claimed that they were sexually abused by their father for years and that the killings were carried out in self-defense.  With the docu-series gaining in popularity, new evidence has been presented that supports the brothers’ claims.  LA County District Attorney George Gascon has announced that their case will be reviewed, along with the new evidence. 

The Supreme Court of the United States has refused to hear an appeal from 41-year-old Mississippi death row inmate Leslie “Bo” Galloway, III.  Galloway is convicted of murdering 17-year-old high school senior Shakeylia Anderson.  She was last seen entering Galloway’s vehicle, and her body was found dumped in the woods by hunters the next day.  Evidence showed that she had been raped, severely burned, and run over by a vehicle.  Galloway nada his attorneys were arguing that he received ineffective legal representation during his initial trial.  His original attorneys did not tell the jurors about his “excruciating life history,” which could have resulted in a lesser sentence.  Galloway still has an appeal pending in a lower court.

Twenty-year-old Terryon Thomas, a TikTok star, could be sentenced to death after his murder charges have increased to first-degree murder.  He is accused of murdering 69-year-old William Nicholas “Nick” Abraham, a therapist.  Prosecutors have not yet announced if they will pursue capital charges against Thomas.  An investigation into the case is ongoing, as police have not yet discovered a connection between William and Thomas.  Willam was last seen alive outside Thomas’ apartment complex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 28.  His body was discovered the following day.  He was beaten to death.

Prosecutors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have announced they will not be seeking the death penalty against 43-year-old Sean Black, who is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Courtney Smith, at their workplace.  Courtney’s family opposed prosecutors seeking the death penalty, which greatly contributed to the decision of the prosecutors.

The District Attorney’s Office in Lafayette, Louisiana, has announced that they will not seek the death penalty against 42-year-old Chad Credeur.  Credeur is accused of murdering 46-year-old Elizabeth Reames, 45-year-old Brandon Touchet, and 49-year-old Eric Green, at an apartment complex in Lafayette.  Their bodies were discovered after police conducted a wellness check when they had not been heard from in several days.  Allegedly, Credeur was friends with the three people he is accused of killing.

Sixty-year-old Susan Eubanks has been removed from death row in California and resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Eubanks was convicted and sentenced to death in 1999 for the 1997 murders of her four sons: 14-year-old Brandon Armstrong, 7-year-old Austin Eubanks, 6-year-old Brigham Eubanks, and 4-year-old Matthew Eubanks.  After killing her children by shooting them, she attempted to commit suicide by shooting herself in her stomach, however, she survived her injury.  Since then, her lawyers have been arguing that there were numerous errors in her initial trial and that her lawyers were ineffective.  Now, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has agreed to resentence Eubanks to life in prison  “in the interests of justice” and “to ensure the defendant will never be released from prison.”

Prosecutors in Texas are seeking the death penalty against Jamaurea Britton, who is accused of murdering 18-year-old  Deja Shanece Hood in Tyler, Texas.  Britton allegedly murdered Deja in a “fit of rage” after she playfully pulled his ear.  After the murder, he attempted to hide her body, which was later discovered by a police officer.

Prosecutors in Placer County, California, have decided against seeking the death penalty for 50-year-old Daniel Serafini, a former Major League Baseball player.  Serafini is accused of conspiring with 34-year-old Samantha Scott to steal from 70-year-old Gary Spohr and 68-year-old Wendy Wood.  Serafini and Scott decided to rob Gary and Wendy at their home in Lake Tahoe on June 5, 2021.  Gary and Wendy are the parents of Serafini’s then-wife, with whom he had two children.  During the robbery, Gary was shot in the head, killing him.  Wendy was shot twice in the head but survived her initial injuries.  She died about a year after the shooting.  Only Serafini is accused of murder, however, both Serafini and Scott are accused of the attempted murder of Wendy.  Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins as a left-handed pitcher.  He went on to play for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies until 2007 when he was suspended for failing a drug test.  In 2009, he played for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.  After leaving baseball, Serafini made several bad investments, losing millions of dollars.  It is believed that money played a significant factor in his decision to rob his in-laws.

The Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to hear an appeal from Texas death row inmate Ruben Gutierrez.  Gutierrez is convicted of taking part in a robbery that resulted in the death of 85-year-old Escolastica Harrison, who was stabbed to death with a screwdriver.  Gutierrez has maintained that he should not be executed because he did not stab Escolastica, nor did he believe that anyone would be killed during the robbery.  He has been seeking additional DNA testing on the murder weapon, believing it will prove he did not commit the murder.  So far, Texas has denied the testing, saying that no matter what DNA testing showed, Gutierrez still would have been eligible for the death penalty.  In the case before the Supreme Court of the United States, Gutierrez and his lawyers are challenging the Texas law that limits the use of DNA testing after conviction.