Documentary explores Neb. death penalty history
The state of Nebraska has been executing people for 135 years, and that history will be examined in a new public television special.
The NET News documentary on Nebraska's death penalty will premiere Friday evening at 7 p.m.
The first legal execution in Nebraska happened in 1878 in Kearney County. Hundreds of spectators watched as convicted murderer Samuel Richards was hanged in Minden.
The documentary will also examine the debate over the death penalty over the years and the method of execution.
Over the years Nebraska changed its execution method to electrocution and then lethal injection became the method a few years ago.
until he is dead Premiers Friday, February 8th 7pm, promo
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/D...ry-4254912.php
NET News explores 135 years of death penalty in Nebraska
One hundred and thirty five years ago, the new state of Nebraska executed a convicted murderer for the first time. Today, it awaits its first execution by lethal injection.
On Friday, NET News will look at the long and complex history of capital punishment in the state in “… until he is dead. A History of Nebraska’s Death Penalty,” at 7 p.m. on NET1/HD (Channel 12).
In 1878, the Kearney County sheriff led convicted murderer Samuel Richards to a newly constructed gallows in Minden, and as hundreds of spectators watched, a hangman placed a noose around Richards’ neck and he became the first person in Nebraska history to be legally executed.
NET News producer Bill Kelly researched decades-old public documents, press coverage and court cases, and conducted interviews with experts in history and law to provide context to stories of horrific crimes and the demand for justice.
The documentary also answers such questions as why the Legislature voted both for and against the death penalty in the same week, which surprising high-tech method was used to hang men at the penitentiary, the first time the electric chair was used, why two were men executed within minutes of each other and what the last words of mass murderer Charlie Starkweather were.
http://journalstar.com/news/local/ne...2d864f3a3.html
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