“From this day forward, I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death. . . . I feel morally and intellectually obligated simply to concede that the death penalty experiment has failed. It is virtually self-evident to me now that no combination of procedural rules or substantive regulations ever can save the death penalty from its inherent constitutional deficiencies.”Harry Blackmun - Former US Supreme Court Justice
Previous Cover Story
US plan to livestream execution draws global condemnation
The Guardian reports on criticism of the Pentagon’s plan to broadcast the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009.
Tennessee officials administered two doses of pentobarbital during the September 30 execution attempt, but Christa Gail Pike remained alive and was taken from the prison by ambulance. Governor Bill Lee then halted Tennessee's remaining execution for the year and ordered an independent review of what occurred.
The Associated Press reported that the attempted execution followed hours of litigation, and that Pike's attorneys sought emergency intervention after reporting that she was in unnecessary agony. Robin M. Maher of the Death Penalty Information Center called the reported outcome singular and unparalleled.
This was the second time in 2026 that Tennessee was unable to carry out an execution. The events raise urgent questions about the reliability, constitutionality, and human cost of lethal injection.
Rev. Sharon Risher speaks out against the death penalty in Buffalo
WKBW 7 News and WGRZ TV News spoke with Reverend Risher during her Buffalo visit about grief, faith, and why execution cannot bring back the people we love.
The coalition exists to make sure Western New Yorkers understand what is happening in federal court and why execution is not necessary for accountability, safety, or healing.
We know what’s going on. We’re paying attention. And we’re educating people that the death penalty is not necessary in this case and that we oppose it under all circumstances.Paul McQuillen, Chair
We got to let God have his way here.Murray Holman, Coalition Coordinator
Murray Holman, Coalition Coordinator, and Paul McQuillen, Coalition Chair
Current Buffalo Updates
Follow the local trial context, courthouse actions, and policy updates that shape the coalition’s work.
Photo courtesy Paul McQuillen
Buffalo federal case
Death penalty trial for Tops shooter will be a first in WNY history
The Buffalo News examines the historic federal death penalty trial of Payton Gendron, with jury selection set to begin at Buffalo’s federal courthouse. Gendron has already pleaded guilty in state court to murdering 10 people and injuring three others.
Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution Could Face Challenge in Federal Courts
Legal experts say the former Army officer convicted in a 2009 mass shooting could face a narrow, rushed path to appeal a public execution by firing squad.
Judge bars ‘whole story’ testimony from Tops killer trial
A federal judge ruled that prosecutors cannot use mental-health experts to present the ‘whole story’ of the Tops shooting during the penalty phase of Payton Gendron’s federal trial.
Official Gendron case page lists August jury selection
The Justice Department’s victim-notification page lists jury selection in the federal Payton Gendron case for August 17, 2026, with case updates and support contacts for victims and survivors.
Marshall Project finds the modern death penalty still broken after 50 years
A new analysis of more than 9,000 death sentences since Gregg v. Georgia shows the same problems remain: racial disparities, arbitrary outcomes, decades of delay, and innocence risk.
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The coalition partners with Death Penalty Action for advocacy support and donation processing. The button takes supporters to the Western NY ActBlue donation page.
WNY Coalition Against the Death Penalty
