Death by Electric Chair- Survival Time? 10 minutes
History and Application
- 1888 New York became the first state to adopt electrocution as its method of execution.
- William Kemmler, becomes the first man to be executed in this manner on 1890.
- From 1930-1980 electrocution was the most popular method of execution in the United States.
- Currently Nebraska is the only State that uses electrocution as the sole method of execution, with nine other States offering it as an alternative, at the discretion of the inmate.
- In 2008 the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled the use of the electric chair as a means of execution violated the Nebraska Constitution With no alternative method of execution on the books, Nebraska is currently without a death penalty.
- Of the Countries outside the United States, that impose capital punishment, none prescribe execution by electrocution
- The last case of execution by electrocution was in 2007, when an inmate in Tennessee opted for electrocution as his chosen means of death on September 12.
Procedure
- Most Jurisdictions authorize the use of a wooden chair with restraints and connections to an electric current.
- A wet sponge is placed between the electrode and the offenders scalp
- The automated cycle begins with the programmed 2,300 volts (9.5 amps) for 8 seconds.
- When the cycle is complete, the equipment is disconnected.
- If the offender is not pronounced dead, the execution cycle is repeated.