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Capital punishment is carried out in this room at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Dan DeLong/P-I Photo |
uncertain justice
Washington State authorizes the death penalty, but does little to ensure that defendants are represented equally. Nearly a fifth of the men to face execution were represented by lawyers who had been, or were later, suspended or arrested.
Read the details below in a three-part special report... and speak out on this issue by joining a forum.
| P-I Special Report: Photos and graphics |
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The faces of death row... Appeals pending |Convictions | Executed |Committed suicide Sentences overturned because of... Ineffective counsel | Judicial error | Age Prosecutor misconduct | Juror misconduct The demographics... 2 decades, 3 executions | Sentences overturned Death row breakdown | Who gets sentenced to death Number of murder cases | Murder cases by county |
SPECIAL REPORT DAY 1
Inadequate defenses: In capital trials across Washington, some defense attorneys have performed woefully, costing taxpayers millions and eroding faith in the system. And judges and lawmakers have been all-too-willing accomplices.
>> Life and death in lawyers' hands
>> Mistakes spare killers' lives
>> Theft, fraud, neglect cost six lawyers their licenses
>> Solutions
SPECIAL REPORT DAY 2
Equality in sentencing: Prosecutors across the state are so inconsistent in deciding whether to seek the death penalty that it raises doubts about the administration of society's ultimate punishment. Where a convicted killer lives often determines whether he lives or dies. And cost is a factor.
>> One killer, two standards
>> 'Sociopath' amazed he's not on death row
>> Unstable Marshall is fighting for his life -- today
>> Some killers more than ready to die
>> Solutions
SPECIAL REPORT DAY 3
Capital defense on the cheap: Clark County's mishandling of capital cases -- appointing troubled public defenders and paying them cut-rate legal fees -- epitomizes the breakdown statewide.
>> Defense for capital crimes often done on the cheap
>> State fund doesn't provide much relief from costs of capital cases
>> Solutions
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