... allowing an execution to be televised. For the first half of the nations history, public executions were common. Large crowds gathered in public places to watch criminals die by hanging. The last public execution held in the U.S. was held in Galena, Missouri. In May 1937, Roscoe (Red) Jackson, who had been convicted of murdering a traveling salesman for his car and eighteen dollars, was ... hanged at dawn in the town's courthouse square in front of several hundred witnesses. In order to prevent children and ... a comforting feeling. They also criticize Ashcroft's decision to only let ...

• Word Count: 2012
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate