A UN report reveals Iran executed at least 975 people in 2024, a record since 2015, surpassing the 834 executions in 2023. The majority of executions stemmed from drug-related and murder charges, with a concerning increase in women executed, including those convicted for murder in cases involving domestic violence. The report also highlights widespread human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on freedom of expression, particularly targeting journalists and minority groups. The UN urges Iran to halt executions and cooperate fully with international investigations.
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Oscar Smith, 75, was executed in Tennessee for the 1989 murders of his estranged wife and her two teenage sons. Despite maintaining his innocence and expressing criticisms of the justice system in a final statement, Smith was pronounced dead following a lethal injection of pentobarbital. The execution, the first in Tennessee to allow a spiritual advisor in the chamber, followed a 2022 reprieve due to issues with the lethal injection drugs. Family members of the victims expressed enduring grief and urged others facing domestic violence to seek help.
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Glen Edward Rogers, known as the “Casanova Killer,” was executed in Florida for the 1995 murder of Tina Marie Cribbs. His final words included a message of support for President Trump, stating “President Trump, keep making America great,” a comment that surprised witnesses. Rogers also expressed love for his family and offered a promise of future answers to his victims’ families. The execution marked the 16th in the U.S. this year, and followed a pattern of similar killings across multiple states.
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Jarred Dwayne Shaw, a 34-year-old American basketball player in Indonesia’s league, was arrested for allegedly smuggling 869 grams of cannabis candies from Thailand. The arrest, following a customs tip, resulted in Shaw’s immediate dismissal from his team and a lifetime ban from the Indonesian Basketball League. Facing Indonesia’s harsh anti-drug laws, Shaw could receive a life sentence or the death penalty if convicted. Police are investigating the international drug network involved.
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George Ryan, former Illinois governor, passed away at age 91. His career, marked by a rise from pharmacist to governor, was ultimately overshadowed by a corruption scandal resulting in a federal prison sentence. However, Ryan is also remembered for his controversial decision to halt executions in Illinois and empty death row, actions that garnered both praise and criticism. Despite his conviction and subsequent apology, his legacy remains complex and multifaceted.
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During a cabinet meeting, Attorney General Pam Bondi lavishly praised President Trump, boasting about signing death warrants in accordance with his executive order reinstating the federal death penalty. This order, issued in January 2025, instructed the Attorney General to pursue capital punishment for various severe crimes, including those committed by undocumented immigrants. Bondi highlighted the administration’s record number of lawsuits stemming from executive orders while emphasizing her commitment to executing Trump’s agenda to combat violent crime. Her first death warrant was issued for Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of a CEO.
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At a cabinet meeting, Attorney General Pam Bondi lavishly praised President Trump, boasting about signing death warrants and the administration’s record number of lawsuits resulting from executive orders. She highlighted the reinstatement of the federal death penalty, citing the case of Luigi Mangione as an example of the administration’s efforts to combat violent crime. Bondi’s actions have been criticized by Mangione’s lawyers who allege her motivations are politically driven and prioritize publicity over due process. Her statements emphasized a focus on combating terrorism and other crimes, including the arrests of individuals accused of arson targeting Tesla vehicles.
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Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate, pleaded not guilty to federal murder charges in the death of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson. The shooting occurred on December 4th in Manhattan, and Mangione faces a potential death sentence if convicted. Separate state-level murder charges are also pending. Mangione was apprehended five days after the incident in Pennsylvania and is additionally charged with stalking and firearms offenses.
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US prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione for the murder of a UnitedHealth executive, a decision sparking significant controversy and raising questions about the justice system’s priorities. This pursuit of capital punishment stands in stark contrast to the sentencing in other high-profile cases, such as mass shootings, where life imprisonment has been the norm.
The disparity in sentencing is fueling public debate, with many questioning why the death penalty is being sought in this instance while mass shooters, responsible for far greater loss of life, receive lesser sentences. The perception is that the value placed on the life of a CEO far outweighs that of numerous victims in a mass shooting, highlighting a perceived double standard within the legal system.… Continue reading
Luigi Mangione’s defense team filed a motion to prevent the death penalty in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, arguing that the Attorney General’s directive to seek capital punishment is a politically motivated “stunt” intended to align with President Trump’s agenda. The motion cites procedural irregularities, including the alleged ignoring of a request for time to prepare a mitigation submission and claims of prejudicial public statements by the Attorney General. Mangione faces both federal and state charges, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, and has pleaded not guilty to the state charges. The defense seeks to screen jurors from the Attorney General’s potentially biased comments.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood