Hi there,

Immigration raids are spreading across the country. The agencies meant to protect public health are being dismantled from within. Public broadcasting is being defunded... Today, Democracy Now!'s independent reporting is more important than ever. Because we never accept corporate or government funding, we rely on viewers, listeners and readers like you to sustain our work. Can you start a monthly donation? Monthly donors represent more than 20 percent of our annual revenue. Thanks to a group of generous donors, all monthly donations started today will be DOUBLED, which means your $15 gift is worth $30. If you believe that freedom of speech and freedom of the press are essential to the functioning of a democratic society, please donate today. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you so much.

Democracy Now!
Amy Goodman

Non-commercial news needs your support.

We rely on contributions from you, our viewers and listeners to do our work. If you visit us daily or weekly or even just once a month, now is a great time to make your monthly contribution.

Please do your part today.

Donate
Independent Global News

Postponed Execution of Joseph O’Dell

StoryDecember 18, 1996
Listen to Full Show
Listen
Media Options
Listen
Related

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday postponed the execution of Virginian death row inmate Joseph O’Dell. O’Dell was convicted in the 1985 rape and murder strangulation of Helen Schartner. At the time of the slaying, O’Dell was on parole for kidnapping and robbery convictions in Florida. He says that DNA evidence can prove his innocence. O’Dell’s case has garnered international attention, especially in Italy where opposition to the death penalty is strong. In fact the Pope, the Italian President and Prime Minister have all urged the U.S. to grant O’Dell clemency.

Related Story

StoryMay 26, 2025“I’m Innocent”: Keith LaMar Speaks Live from Death Row About His Case, Conditions & Pending Execution
Guests
  • LORI URS
    A member of O’Dell’s legal team who married him one year ago.
  • EDGARDO PELLEGRINI
    Editor of Avennimenti, Italian weekly newsmagazine
The original content of this program is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Please attribute legal copies of this work to democracynow.org. Some of the work(s) that this program incorporates, however, may be separately licensed. For further information or additional permissions, contact us.
Daily News Digest
Our Daily Digest brings Democracy Now! to your inbox each morning.

Non-commercial news needs your support

We rely on contributions from our viewers and listeners to do our work.
Please do your part today.
Make a donation
Top