Listening VIII. Death Sentences In u.S. At Their Lowest Level Since 1976

Listen to the VOA THIS IS AMERICA PROGRAM “ Death Sentences in U.S. at Their Lowest Level Since 1976” and fill the gaps in the sentences below. Mind that you will hear the tape once as far as it plays for about 15 minutes.

1. 38 of the 50 American states _____________for murder and other capital crimes. These are the most serious _______________________.

2. The Death Penalty Information Center in Washington, D.C., notes that executions have_______________________.

3. 1976 was the year when the United States Supreme Court _____________of states to use ____________________________.

4. There are some new restrictions, though. In March the Supreme Court _________________ death sentences for ________________________________.

5. Justice Kennedy said it would be "morally misguided" _______________________of a young person with those of an _________. He said a young person has ___________________of reform.

6. Some people would like the United States Supreme Court ____________ all executions. Opponents of the death penalty say capital punishment can be _______________________. For example, they say blacks are _________________________________________________ to death than whites for similar crimes.

7. Opponents say economics play a part. Courts _____________________ if a ___________________ does not have enough money. But the opponents say ____________________________________-may depend on the ability to get a good lawyer.

8. More than 80 percent of these executions have happened in ______________. The highest rates are in the _____________, the lowest are in the______________. Texas has executed more than one-third of those put to death. Last year Texas courts __________________ twenty-three more people.

9. _____________________say capital punishment costs more than _____________________for life. The appeals process often continues for years. Opponents also note the risk that innocent people will be _______________by mistake. And they argue that ____________________does not stop criminals.

10. The Criminal Justice _______________in Sacramento, California, supports capital punishment. The organization says its represents the interests of __________and citizens who _____________. It says murderers sentenced to life in prison______________. Or they might kill others _________________.

11. The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation says the families of victims ____________that the killer of their loved one_________________________.

12. About two ___________people questioned for a Gallup Poll in 2004 _____________

_________________________________for murderers.

13. Most executions in the United States take place by _______________or _________

___________________. The area of prison ____________ where the condemned are kept

is called____________.

14. Researchers at Northwestern University have studied death row____________. They say at least ___________men and women have been released from death rows in the United States since nineteen seventy three. New ______________their lives.

15. For many people, the _____________capital punishment involves religious issues. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has started _____________the death penalty.

16. Pope _________________criticized capital punishment. John Paul said it should be used only ___________________ when society could not be defended in any other way

17. The use of capital punishment began ___________________of American history. But in 1972 ______________________the Supreme Court effectively banned executions.

18. Four years later the Supreme court ____________________of states to make new laws ____________________________death sentences

19. Currently, ______________________and the District of Columbia do not have capital punishment.

20. But Governor Mitt Romney has proposed to_______________ the death penalty for some crimes. These include _________________ and _________________involving _____________________or more than one victim.