(Image Source: TPM Muckraker)

BY EMOKE BEBIAK

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

The number of death sentences and executions are at historic low  in the United States. CNN reports on the findings of a study published on Thursday.

“Signs that the death penalty might be dying a slow death itself in the United States: just 43 people have been executed this year, that’s according to the Death Penalty Information Center. That’s down from 100 just a dozen years ago. And the number of death sentences also hit a 35 year low.”

The number of death sentences in 2011 fell to 78 from more than 100 in 2010. NPR’s Morning Edition talked to Death Penalty Information Center executive director Richard Dieter. He says the decrease in numbers indicates changing sentiments...

“The death penalty in 2011 is starting to reflect the unease that many people feel, at least the ambivalence. Sure, a lot of people still support the death penalty. But the practice has been flawed and it’s getting very expensive.”

The Guardian points to reactions to the controversial execution of Troy Davis this year as evidence for a growing social unease with the death penalty saying... (Video: ABC News)

“While the application of the death penalty fell, America's tolerance of it also declined. The highlight of the year was the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia in September that saw an outpouring of disgust and outrage at an intensity rarely seen within the country.”

But according to USA Today, the decline in public support for capital punishment may not be as significant as it appears. The paper points out...

“Polls show, however, majority support for the death penalty, and public backing was evident during a Republican presidential debate last September. The audience applauded at just the mention of hundreds of executions in Texas.”

Here’s the clip -- from a CNN GOP presidential debate in September -- when host Wolf Blitzer asked Ron Paul what should be done about a hypothetical man with a terminal illness but no health insurance.

BLITZER: “Congressman, are you saying that society should just let him die?”
CROWD: “Yeaaaa!!!”

The Christian Science Monitor says the decline in the number of death sentences might in fact stem from factors unrelated to the public sentiment.

“A declining murder rate and growing numbers of life-without-parole sentences for the most violent criminals may be playing more of a role in the death penalty decreases than changes in public sentiment, prosecutors and victims' advocates say.”

With Illinois banning capital punishment last January, death penalty is now abolished in 16 states.