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Disabled Executed
On January 19, 1993, the state of Virginia executed Charles Stamper. Stamper had been confined to a wheelchair since his spinal cord was injured in a prison brawl. Stamper was denied permission to walk to the electric chair in leg braces and a walker. Instead, prison guards shuffled him into the electric chair.
Death penalty foes claimed the execution was not necessary because Stamper was no longer a danger due to his handicap. Some advocates for the disabled [Ed. Note: some advocates!] argued he was entitled to no special considerations because he was handicapped.
The United States is one of the few countries in the world that executes its juveniles and mentally retarded. To that dubious distinction we can add the execution of the handicapped as well.
Death penalty foes claimed the execution was not necessary because Stamper was no longer a danger due to his handicap. Some advocates for the disabled [Ed. Note: some advocates!] argued he was entitled to no special considerations because he was handicapped.
The United States is one of the few countries in the world that executes its juveniles and mentally retarded. To that dubious distinction we can add the execution of the handicapped as well.
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