International Death Penalty News 2022, Issue 10: India, Iran, Tunisia, United States of America

India

A Bangladeshi national, Labloo Hasan, is sentenced to death for murdering an elderly couple in November 2019 at Venmony village of Chengannur taluk in the Alappuzha district. Labloo was also given two life sentences for other crimes committed during the double murder. Labloo’s coconspirator, Juval Hassan, also a Bangladeshi national, was sentenced to two life in prison sentences for his role in the robbery and murders. His sentences will run concurrently. Labloo and Juval were also fine.

Iran

On Monday, February 28, 2022, 45-year-old Morad Salehbeig was executed in Zanjan Central Prison. Before his execution, he received 74 lashes with a cane. Morad was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind. He also received a sentence of 74 lashes. His execution has not been announced by state officials or the media.

On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 36-year-old Akbar Shahsavand was executed in Isfahan Central Prison. He was convicted on drug-related charges about four years ago. His execution has not been reported by state officials or the media.

On Thursday, March 3, 2022, an unnamed man was executed at Dezful Prison. He was convicted of murdering a policeman during a robbery and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind. The man had spent the last six years in prison.

On Thursday, March 3, 2022, Vahid Mousavi was executed in Rajai Shahr Prison. Four others were scheduled to be executed with him, however, they were returned to their cells after being led to gallows. Vahid was convicted of murder and sentenced to qisas, that is, retribution in kind.

Tunisia

In March 2016, members of the Libyan branch of the Islamic State terrorist group staged a series of deadly attacks in Ben Guerdane. Dozens of people died as a result of these attacks. Now, a court has sentenced 16 people to death for their part in the attacks. The last execution in Tunisia was in 1991. A total of 96 individuals stood trial in connection with the 2016 attacks. The remaining 80 individuals received varying prison sentences, with a few being acquitted. Prosecutors plan to appeal these sentences.

United States of America

On Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Michael Gonzales was scheduled to be executed in Texas. His execution was stayed by order of a judge. Forty-eight-year-old Michael is convicted of murdering 73-year-old Manuel Aguirre and 65-year-old Merced Aguirre on April 21, 1994, in Odessa, Texas. His execution was stayed over concerns regarding his mental competency and over allegations that the state illegally withheld information that could have supported his claims of innocence.

On Thursday, March 10, 2022, James Coddington was scheduled to be executed in Oklahoma. His execution was stayed. Forty-nine-year-old James is convicted of murdering 73-year-old Albert Troy Hale on March 5, 1997, in Choctaw, Oklahoma. James’ execution was stayed as he is a member of a lawsuit challenging the execution protocol in Oklahoma.

The Supreme Court of the United States has reinstated the death sentence for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is convicted of bombing the Boston Marathon finish line in 2013. Three people were killed in the bombing, and 260 others were injured. The ensuing manhunt also resulted in the death of a police officer. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals had overturned Tsarnaev’s death sentence, saying he did not receive a fair trial and that some evidence was improperly withheld from the defense. The Supreme Court of the United States has overturned this ruling, reinstating his sentence of death.

A bill has been introduced in Louisiana by Senator Katrina Jackson that would abolish capital punishment in the state. Senator Jackson was inspired to write the bill due to her pro-life views and believes abolishing capital punishment will save the state money. She is also concerned about innocent people being sentenced to death and execution. She also states that she continues to support life in prison, without the possibility of parole. The last execution in Louisiana occurred in 2010.

On Thursday, March 3, 2022, Markeith Loyd was sentenced to death in Florida. He was convicted of murdering 42-year-old Police Lieutenant Debra Clayton in 2017. Lt. Clayton was part of a manhunt for Loyd after he shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, who was pregnant in December 2016. Loyd shot the policewoman as she approached him in a Walmart parking lot. He was arrested a few days later. Loyd received a sentence of life in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon.

District attorneys and defense attorneys have reached an agreement regarding Tennessee death row inmate Byron Black. Black is scheduled to be executed later this year for murdering 29-year-old Angela Clay, and her two daughters, 9-year-old Latoya, and 6-year-old Lakeishsa on March 28, 1988, in Davidson County, Tennessee. Attorneys for Black have argued that he lacks the mental competency to be executed. District Attorney Glenn Funk has submitted a filing to the court agreeing that Black is intellectually disabled and unfit to be executed. Therefore, Funk agrees to Black’s sentence being commuted to life in prison. A judge must approve of the agreement between Black’s attorneys and the district attorney’s office, however, it is rare for a judge to rule against such an agreement.

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