Va. Death Row/Execution Facts

Execution viewing by victim’s family members became effective July 1, 1994 by Executive Memorandum 10-94 of Governor George Allen.

Lethal injection became an option/alternative to the electric chair effective January 1, 1995. The inmate may make the choice. There have been 75 lethal injections (34B, 39W, 2H). The first inmate to be executed by lethal injection was Dana Ray Edmonds/Danville on January 24, 1995.

The last inmate to be executed by the electric chair was Brandon Wayne Hedrick (July 20, 2006). Previously it was Earl Bramblett (April 9, 2003), Michael David Clagett (July 7, 2000), Kenneth Manuel Stewart, Jr. (Sept. 23, 1998) and Timothy Spencer (April 27, 1994).

339 inmates have been executed in Virginia since the first electrocution in 1908 at the State Penitentiary in Richmond. (250B, 87W, 2H)

Capital punishment was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972 and reinstated in 1976. The last execution in Virginia prior to capital punishment being struck down was March 2, 1962.

The first execution in Virginia after reinstatement was in 1982. Since then there have been 103 inmates executed, 28 by electrocution and 75 by lethal injection. (48B, 53W, 2H)

Executions are at 9:00 p.m. at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Virginia. The first execution conducted at Greensville Correctional Center was on July 24, 1991.

Death Row is located at Sussex I State Prison in Waverly, Virginia. Death Row was moved from Mecklenburg Correctional Center on August 3, 1998. Virginia has one female on death row at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women.

There are 16 Virginia inmates (8 B, 7 W) on death row, 15 male, 1 female (W). The oldest is 59 and the youngest is 26. The average age is 36 years old.
Since 1991 the average length of time inmates have spent on death row prior to execution is 7.1 years. (Figure represents last 103 inmates executed)

Average time on death row of current inmates is 5 years. (Figure represents 16 Virginia inmates currently on death row)

Scheduled executions as of this date:
John Muhammad – November 10, 2009
Larry Elliott – November 17, 2009

Number of executions and commuted sentences in past years:

1990: 3 [one sentence commuted]
1991: 2 [two sentences commuted]
1992: 4 [H. Bassett, 089088, Henrico County, sentence commuted Jan. 1st]
1993: 5
1994: 2
1995: 5
1996: 8 [J. Payne, 127364, Powhatan County, sentence commuted Nov. 7th]
1997: 9 [W. Saunders, 174880, Danville, sentence commuted Sept. 15th]
1998: 13
1999: 14 [C. Swann, 206964, sentence commuted May 12th]
2000: 8
2001: 2
2002: 4
2003: 2
2004: 5
2005: 0
2006: 4
2007: None
2008: 4
2009: 1, the last execution was Edward N. Bell – February 19, 2009.

OTHER FACTS

One woman executed: Virginia Christian, age 17, by electrocution August 16, 1912.

Youngest: Percey Ellis, age 16, convicted in Norfolk, executed 3-15-16.

Oldest: Joe Lee, age 68, convicted in Caroline County, executed 4-21-16.

Busiest Day: February 2, 1951 -- five inmates executed. Four convicted in Martinsville and 1 in Halifax.

Busiest Month: February 1951 -- 7 executions. Busiest Year: 1909 -- 17 executions