Is the death penalty cruel and unusual?
The Eighth Amendment. What is cruel and unusual punishment? Who gets to define and decide the amendment's boundaries? And how did the Constitution's authors imagine it might change? In this hour, the shifting definition of cruel and unusual punishment. This episode was originally published in January 2025. Guests: John Bessler , law professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center. Author of The Death Penalty's Denial of Fundam
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Is the death penalty cruel and unusual?
Welcome to the program. I'm your host.
Welcome to the program. I'm your host.
0:00Today we look at the major stories shaping the news cycle.
Today we look at the major stories shaping the news cycle.
0:04We start in Europe, where leaders met in Brussels.
We start in Europe, where leaders met in Brussels.
0:09The summit focused on energy policy and migration.
The summit focused on energy policy and migration.
0:14Reporting from the ground, our correspondent has more.
Reporting from the ground, our correspondent has more.
0:19Thank you. The mood here was tense but constructive.
Thank you. The mood here was tense but constructive.
0:24