The death penalty has a long and complicated history in North America.
While the United States remains one of the few Western nations to still carry out executions, other countries in the region have moved away from the practice.
Canada formally abolished capital punishment for all crimes in 1976, after more than a decade without an execution.
The United Kingdom followed a similar path, ending the death penalty for murder in 1965 and removing it entirely from law in 1998.
Public opinion and legal debates played key roles in these decisions, leading both nations to outlaw a punishment once considered an essential part of justice.
Delayed for over a decade
In contrast, the United States has continued to use the death penalty, with some states carrying out executions more frequently than others.
One of those states, South Carolina, is preparing for its third execution in just four months.
On Friday evening, prison officials plan to administer a lethal injection to Marion Bowman Jr., who was sentenced for the murder of a friend more than 20 years ago.
Bowman has always denied the accusation, and his attorneys argue that his conviction rested largely on the testimony of witnesses who made deals with prosecutors.
Legal challenges delayed executions in the state for over a decade, in part due to difficulty obtaining the drugs used for lethal injection.
That changed when lawmakers passed legislation allowing suppliers to remain anonymous, making it easier for the state to secure the necessary chemicals.
Since then, executions have resumed on a regular basis, with courts approving a schedule that will continue in the months ahead.
A major concern raised by Bowman’s defense team is his weight. At 388 pounds, medical experts fear that the drugs may not work as intended or could cause unnecessary suffering.
Similar concerns have been raised in other cases, especially when execution protocols remain undisclosed.
South Carolina was once among the most active states in carrying out capital punishment. While fewer people now sit on death row, recent legal changes have made it clear that the state remains committed to enforcing the sentences already in place.
