Changes

The '''electric chair''' is a method of execution in which the condemned is subjected to lethal currents of electricity, stopping the heart. Most states no longer use the electric chair, in favor of [[lethal injection]], which is determined by some to be more humane. [[Nebraska]] is currently the only state that uses it as its sole means of execution, but it is not a state that frequently executes criminals. As of September 2007, Daryl Holton is the last person to have been executed via electrocution in the [[United States]], having died in [[Tennessee]]'s electric chair on September 12, 2007. Holton had elected this method of execution over lethal injection, a choice that is offered to inmates there on death row for crimes committed prior to 1999. <ref>http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/11/tenn.execution.ap/index.html</ref>

The '''electric chair''' is a method of execution in which the condemned is subjected to lethal currents of electricity, stopping the heart. Its use was upheld by the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].<ref>''[[In re Kemmler]]'', 136 U.S. 436 (1889).</ref>

 

Most states no longer use the electric chair, in favor of [[lethal injection]], which is determined by some to be more humane. [[Nebraska]] is currently the only state that uses it as its sole means of execution, but it is not a state that frequently executes criminals. As of September 2007, Daryl Holton is the last person to have been executed via electrocution in the [[United States]], having died in [[Tennessee]]'s electric chair on September 12, 2007. Holton had elected this method of execution over lethal injection, a choice that is offered to inmates there on death row for crimes committed prior to 1999. <ref>http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/11/tenn.execution.ap/index.html</ref>

The introduction of the electric chair led to support by [[Thomas Edison]] as a way to discredit his rival, [[George Westinghouse]]:<ref>http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/recording/edison.html</ref>

The introduction of the electric chair led to support by [[Thomas Edison]] as a way to discredit his rival, [[George Westinghouse]]:<ref>http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/recording/edison.html</ref>