Oklahoma carried out the final execution of 2024, putting to death Kevin Ray Underwood for murdering a 10-year-old girl in 2006. President Joe Biden placed a moratorium on the federal death penalty, but there is pressure on him to commute the sentences of all federal death row inmates before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Support for the death penalty has decreased, but some states like Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas continue to carry out executions. Some states have resumed executions using nitrogen gas or other methods due to difficulties sourcing lethal injection drugs. Despite bipartisan efforts in states like Oklahoma and Texas, the death penalty remains a controversial issue with concerns about racial disparities and innocence claims. Some argue that the death penalty is a pointless exercise in cruelty, while others believe it is necessary for serious crimes. The debate over the death penalty has become more localized, with fewer states actively carrying out executions. Overall, the future of the death penalty remains uncertain as attitudes and practices continue to evolve.
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All Eyes on Biden as Oklahoma carries out final U.S. execution of 2024
