Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Reconsidering California’s Death Penalty, and Remembering Wes Craven
Last July a California judge ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in the case of Ernest D Jones. The reasoning behind the judge’s ruling? It’s taking California too long to kill inmates on Death Row. And in 2009, Jeff Smith was prosecuted for lying to federal agents about an illegal campaign flier. He was sentenced to a year and a day in a federal prison in rural Kentucky—500 miles from his St. Louis home.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenLast July a California judge ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in the case of Ernest D Jones. The reasoning behind the judge’s ruling? It’s taking California too long to kill inmates on Death Row. This morning, a federal appeals court panel in Pasadena considered the lower court’s decision. Could this mean the end of the death penalty in California? And while most prisoners are not on death row or even in prison for life, even a short stint can affect them for the rest of their lives. We look at the case of Missouri State Senator Jeff Smith, who was prosecuted for lying to federal agents about an illegal campaign flier and sentenced to a year and a day in a federal prison in rural Kentucky—500 miles from his St. Louis home. Then, 100,000 migrants crossed into Europe last month alone. Over the weekend, European leaders called for an emergency meeting to address the Mediterranean migrant crisis. In the meantime—is there anything that the United States can do? Then, we remember horror movie visionary, Wes Craven, who died Sunday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 76. Finally, the VMA’s were full of not all that surprising surprises last night.
Banner Image: Director Wes Craven attends the premiere of the movie "Drag Me to Hell" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California May 12, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 29. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
In this episode
5 storiesIs California’s Death Penalty Unconstitutional?
Last July a California judge ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in the case of Ernest D Jones. The reasoning behind the judge’s ruling? It’s taking California too long to kill inmates on Death Row. So long that the sentence amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
Read the story8 minMr. Smith Goes to Prison
Even a short prison sentence affect people for the rest of their lives. That’s certainly the case for Jeff Smith. In 2006, when he was 32 years old, Jeff Smith won a seat in the Missouri State Senate. Three years later, his political career came to an abrupt end when he was prosecuted for lying to federal agents about an illegal campaign flier.
Read the story15 minCan the US Help Stop the Migrant Crisis?
Last month alone,100,000 migrants crossed into Europe, and so far this year at least 2,500 have died trying. Over the weekend, European leaders called for an emergency meeting to address the Mediterranean migrant crisis. The meeting’s now set for September 14th . Leaders hope to establish official “welcome centers” in Greece and Italy.
Read the story6 minRemembering Wes Craven
Horror film visionary Wes Craven died Sunday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 76. He reinvented the horror genre several times over the course of his decades-long career. “Nightmare on Elm Street” introduced a terrified generation to Freddy Krueger.
Read the story8 minTV Roundup: VMAs, Narcos, Documentary Now
From the outrageous antics of Miley Cyrus to Kanye West’s presidential announcement, the VMA’s were full of not all that surprising surprises last night. We talk about that and new TV programming.
Read the story9 min
