Death Penalty

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 6, 2011 - KANSAS CITY - Sean O'Brien wants to wind down his law practice, but the pleas for help…

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Aug. 22, 2011 - Not an opera fan? It doesn't matter. Chances are you'll still enjoy "Dead Man…

A federal judge has rejected a challenge by Missouri prison inmates to the state's execution procedure.The inmates' lawsuit argued that Missouri does not…

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Aug. 15, 2011 - Sister Helen Prejean is pleased that the opera, "Dead Man Walking," does not take…

Reporting from Illinois Public Radio's Amanda Vinicky used in this report.Murderers convicted in Illinois will no longer be sentenced to death row as the…

Updated 1:49 p.m. with sentence decision:Christopher Coleman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the Belleville…

The Missouri Supreme Court has affirmed the murder conviction for Gregory Bowman, but reversed the sentence that put him on death row.The court ruled…

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer says he is looking for around $500 million of savings in the state budget over the next several years.…

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has abolished the state's death penalty.The Democrat signed legislation Wednesday abandoning capital punishment, two months after…

A deputy U.S. marshal shot in the head while trying to arrest a fugitive early Tuesday morning has died. The U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C.…