Firing Squad No Longer Idaho Option

An item that seemed to fly below the news radar is noted at the Progressive States Network in, "Legislative Session Roundup: Idaho."

Death Penalty:  H 107 eliminates the death penalty by firing squad, making Idaho the last state in the nation to do away with this antiquated option.

As noted in the legislative history, the bill was signed into law by the governor on April 1.  It becomes effective July 1, 2009.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Idaho has only carried out one post-Furman execution.  In 1994, Keith Wells, a volunteer, was executed using lethal injection.

The Winter 2009 issue of Death Row USA notes 18 on Idaho's death row.