Capital punishment has been illegal in the U.S. State of Michigan since 1846, making Michigan's death penalty history unusual in contrast to other States. Michigan was the first English-speaking government in the world to abolish totally the death penalty for ordinary crimes. [1] The Michigan State Legislature voted to do so on May 18, 1846, and this has remained in law since.[2] Although the death penalty was retained on the books for treason until 1963, Michigan has not executed any person since statehood.
January 13, 2011
