Death Row: Executions and the Death Penalty in Old Time Radio

In ancient times, before the rise of the penitentiary system, death was the sentence imposed for most crimes against the state, often an ugly death involving torture. These methods could include impaling, drawing and quartering, stoning, keelhauling, or burning at the stake. The idea was to not simply kill the offender, he was made to suffer for his crimes. Often, the execution was as much a demonstration of the State's power as punishment.

The United States was formed during the Enlightenment Period when States were adopting the concept of natural and legal rights. Influenced by the Pennsylvania Quakers, the penitentiary system was widely adopted in the new nation. The idea was that offenders should be allowed to endure a period of "penance" under State supervision; after they had paid their debt to society they would be released as reformed individuals. This follows the Constitutional restriction against "cruel and unusual punishment." However, there were still capital offenses, including the most serious crimes such as murder, rape, or treason against the Nation. The Supreme Court of the United States declared the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972 under the Eight Amendment restriction against cruel and unusual punishment but reversed the decision in 1976. 

For centuries, executions were often public, the spectacle adding to the humiliation of the condemned and perhaps acting to deter the populace against crimes against the state. The deterrent effect of capital punishment has since come into question. The invention of the guillotine during the French Revolution was part of a trend to make state executions more "humane" under the premise that an instantaneous death was painless and thereby more merciful. The practice of hanging typically resulted in a lingering death through strangulation but was modified in the 1870s to the "long drop" method which would ensure dislocation of the neck bones to sever the spinal cord to induce instantaneous death.

In the early Twentieth century, American inventors experimented with the use of electricity for execution. During the "Current Wars" between Edison Electric and Westinghouse, Thomas Edison promoted alternating current as the most efficient means of carrying out a death sentence. This had the added effect of stigmatizing the form of current proposed by his rival. Both electrocution and gas chamber executions fell out of favor aw it was evident that the condemned often suffered during the process. 

Most contemporary executions are conducted via the lethal injection method where a series of chemicals and poisons are injected into the condemned person's bloodstream, mitigating suffering by inducing unconsciousness before death. Lethal injection is a highly technical process that is often botched causing undue suffering. The ultimate finality of capital punishment makes it impractical for executioners to "practice" in order to attain proficiency in their art.

The Adventures of Superman, September 1945. A notorious conman, Dr. Bly, is taking advantage of Lois Lane's resemblance to Dixie LaMarr. The cops have an airtight case that Lois has been leading a double life as Dixie, and now Lois is facing the electric chair for murder. 

You Are There, December 19, 1948, "The Hanging of Captain Kidd". On May 23, 1701, Captain William Kidd is condemned to be hanged at Execution Dock at Wapping on the Thames. Prominent Members of the House of Commons are expected to seek clemency for the accused pirate from Lord Orford of the Admiralty. Kidd had sailed with letters of marque from the Admiralty but is accused of using his position to commit acts of piracy. It is believed that Kidd has information which will reflect badly on the Admiralty and possibly result in the dismissal of the First Lord.

Gunsmoke, June 26, 1954, "Claustrophobia". Obie Ridgers prefers to be outside, being in town, stuck under a roof, would drive him crazy. After months of coaxing, he finally goes into Dodge City for a night of fun, but while he is away, the bad men who live in the cabin over the hill slaughter Obie's hogs, burn the pen and kill his mule. Before Marshall Dillon can stop him, Obie murders the bad men and Matt has to take him in. The Judge sentences Obie to life in prison, but Obie begs to be hung instead.

Suspense, February 23, 1958, "Five Buck Tip". Tommy Jardine will face the electric chair at midnight, and his girlfriend begs his identical twin brother, Mark, to be with him on his last night. However, Tommy has hatched a plan to have Mark take his place. The plan seems foolproof, only the wildest of circumstances can save Mark. Karl Swenson plays both brothers.

CBS Radio Mystery Theatre, November 21, 1975, "The Hanging Judgement". Mrs. Barbara Grant was killed by a .38 slug. A .32 revolver was found next to the body. Dr. Grant, who was separated from his wife, had been in Las Vegas with Cheryl Stafford, his former receptionist. The doctor previously owned a .38 Police Special revolver but had reported the piece stolen several months ago. Mr. Marshal claims that the story is based on an actual case.