Death Penalty

No Mercy For Serial Killer Yates By State High Court

Tom Bacon — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:03:31 +0000

Washington State high court justices have brushed aside a long list of legal objections raised by Spokane multiple murderer Robert Yates in his effort to escape the death penalty. Spokane Public Radio's Tom Bacon reports.

Oregon High Court Hears Haugen Vs. Kitzhaber

Chris Lehman — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:14:03 +0000

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon Supreme Court Thursday heard arguments in a case that pits a death row inmate against Governor John Kitzhaber. An attorney for Gary Haugen argued that the two-time murderer has the right to reject a reprieve from the death penalty issued by the governor.

Oregon Supreme Court Takes Up Haugen's Request To Die

Chris Lehman — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:09:18 +0000

The Oregon Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Thursday in a case involving a death row inmate who wants to die. Two-time murderer Gary Haugen is trying to reject a reprieve issued by Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber.

It's definitely an unusual situation. Normally you'd expect people on death row to be happy about having their execution delayed. But Haugen had dropped all of his appeals and was actually trying to be executed. He repeatedly told judges that he was ready.

House Committee Takes No Action On Death Penalty Bill

Patricia Murphy — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:37:05 +0000

A House Committee in Olympia took no action Wednesday morning on a bill that would eliminate the death penalty and replace it with a sentence of life without parole.

Oregon Lawmakers Consider Death Penalty Repeal

Chris Lehman — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:47:40 +0000

SALEM, Ore. – More than a year ago, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber stunned people by enacting a moratorium on the death penalty. It happened just weeks before the scheduled execution of two-time murderer Gary Haugen. At a hearing Tuesday, lawmakers took up the question of whether to ask voters to repeal the death penalty altogether. But it’s not clear whether that will actually happen.

Dan Bryant knows the unique pain of learning a loved one has been murdered.

Kitzhaber Urges Death Penalty Vote, Legislative Leaders Lukewarm

Chris Lehman — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:54:20 +0000

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber is urging state lawmakers to send voters a measure to ban capital punishment. But in a meeting with reporters Tuesday, legislative leaders showed little enthusiasm for taking up the hot button issue.

When the governor put a moratorium on the death penalty in November of 2011, he also called on the legislature to debate the issue.

One Year After Death Penalty Moratorium, Little Has Happened

Chris Lehman — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:16:05 +0000

One year ago this week, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber stunned the state and made international headlines when he issued a moratorium on the death penalty. He said he hoped his action would spur state lawmakers to a conversation about the death penalty. But so far, there's little momentum for the legislature to act on the issue. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Judge Says Haugen Can Reject Execution Reprieve

Chris Lehman — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:40:53 +0000

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber will likely appeal a decision made Friday that a death row inmate can reject a reprieve. Last fall Kitzhaber issued a temporary moratorium on executions in Oregon just two weeks before two-time murderer Gary Haugen was scheduled to die. Haugen challenged the reprieve in court, saying he wants to be put to death.

Judges Overturns Kitzhaber's Reprieve Of Haugen

Chris Lehman — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 23:51:02 +0000

An Oregon judge says death row inmate Gary Haugen has the right to reject a reprieve from Gov. John Kitzhaber. Circuit Court Judge Timothy Alexander's ruling Friday paves the way for a possible new execution date for the two-time murderer.

Oregon Death Row Inmate Asks Judge To Overturn Governor's Reprieve

Virginia Alvino — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 23:33:54 +0000

Late last year, Gov. John Kitzhaber issued a moratorium that put on hold the execution of twice-convicted murderer Gary Haugen. Now the death row inmate is asking a judge to overrule that reprieve. Haugen appeared in a Marion County courtroom Tuesday.