The mandatory sentence for a capital crime was execution. This means that when a jury found someone guilty of murder or rape, the judge had to sentence them to execution on the gallows. However, some of these convicted individuals were able to avoid execution by having their sentenced commuted, receiving a pardon, or submitting an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Commutations and Pardons of Capital Crimes, 1872 - 1890Before 1890, there was no Court of Appeals. Individuals who were found guilty could only escape the gallows if the President of the United States commuted their sentence or issued a pardon.
The table below lists the individuals who were convicted of a capital crime prior to 1890 but received a commuted sentence or full pardon from the President.
Reversals and Acquittals of Capital Crimes after 1890After 1890, defendants could submit an appeal to the Supreme Court. Many verdicts were reversed, and defendants received new trials. The table below lists the individuals who received a new trial after submitting an appeal to the Supreme Court.
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Last updated: January 12, 2025