Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently issued his first reprieve to a death row inmate, reflecting his long-held opposition to capital punishment. He has advocated for its repeal, citing the system’s fallibility and irreversible consequences from his time as attorney general.
Shapiro’s Stance
Shapiro emphasized that while death row inmates deserve lifelong imprisonment for their crimes, the state should not execute people. This action contrasts with “tough on crime” politicians who highlight executions for political gain.
National Trends
The U.S. saw 47 executions in 2025, the highest since 2010, driven largely by Florida under Governor Ron DeSantis, who oversaw a record 19. President Trump’s January 2025 executive order promoted faithful implementation of capital laws, potentially influencing this uptick.
Legal Developments
Florida’s Supreme Court upheld a 2023 law allowing nonunanimous jury recommendations (8-4) for death sentences, the nation’s lowest threshold. The U.S. Supreme Court denied all 2025 execution stays and may narrow Atkins v. Virginia’s ban on executing the intellectually disabled; states like Louisiana (nitrogen gas) and South Carolina (firing squad) adopted new methods.
Broader Context
Only 27 states plus federal and military systems retain the death penalty; 2025 saw just 51 notices and 23 sentences, with two-thirds from Alabama, California, and Florida—far below 1996’s 315. Despite stable public support around 50%, jurors increasingly reject it, per Death Penalty Information Center data.
