Collecting Area: National Death Penalty Archive / Level: Collection - M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives Search Results

National Death Penalty Archive

Researchers, writers, activists, and records on capital punishment in the United States.

The National Death Penalty Archive (NDPA) is a partnership between the University at Albany Libraries and the Capital Punishment Research Initiative (CPRI) at the University's School of Criminal Justice. In 1999, researchers at the School of Criminal Justice formally established the CPRI. Its overarching goals were research and education -- initiate capital punishment research activities, facilitate collaboration among researchers, and make findings and information available to legal and criminal justice policymakers, practitioners, and the public. One of the original goals of the CPRI was to establish and maintain a collection of archival materials documenting the important history of capital punishment, and to provide resources for historical scholarship. This growing collection of archival materials is housed in the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, which is located in the University's state of the art Science Library. Open since 1999, the new archival repository includes climate-controlled storage for more than 25,000 cubic feet. The following collections have been acquired for the NDPA through the collaborative efforts of the CPRI and the University Libraries; work is continuing to build this important link to the history of capital punishment in the United States.

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Abraham J. Bonowitz Papers, 1977-2015, bulk 1977-2015 86.49 cubic ft.

For more than three decades, Abraham J. Bonowitz has worked to educate the public about human rights problems, in particular the death penalty and the need for alternatives to the death penalty. During this time he served in numerous director, consultant, managerial, and activist roles with leading advocacy and death penalty abolitionist organizations.

Alvin Ford Papers, 1965-1995 5.4 cubic ft.

This collection documents the seventeen-year period (1974-1991) concerning the Florida capital punishment case of Alvin Ford. The collection primarily contains the court records and research material of Ford's attorney, Laurin A. Wollan, Jr., as well as other members of the Ford defense team who began work on the case in 1981. The legal records include official court proceedings from the initial trial in 1974, appeals, attempts at clemency, and several cases by Ford against the Florida Department of Corrections. Other legal records include psychological reports, background reports, biographies of Ford, as well as his prison and medical records.

Bill Babbitt Collection, 1967-2016 4.82 cubic ft.

The Bill Babbitt Collection documents nearly ten years of legal efforts to spare Manny Babbitt's life from execution, and two decades of advocacy activities to try to abolish the death penalty.

Bill Pelke Papers, 1965-2007, Undated 18.32 cubic feet

Bill Pelke is a leader in the national death penalty abolition movement. This collection documents Bill Pelke's involvement with Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing, Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation (MVFR), National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP), Amnesty International, and other organizations committed to ending capital punishment in the United States.

Capital Defender Office Records, 1975-2007, bulk 1995-2007 116.73 cubic ft.

The Capital Defender Office (1995-2008) (CDO) was established as part of New York States 1995 death penalty legislation which took effect on September 1, 1995. Under the new law, the State expanded the crime of first degree murder and introduced two new penalties, death and life in prison without possibility of parole, for those convicted. Working from offices in Albany, New York City, and Rochester, the CDO sought to ensure that defendants being tried by the State, who could not afford representation, receive skilled counsel in capital cases. The CDO closed its Rochester office in 2005, and, as no state death penalty cases remain, the Albany and New York City offices in 2008. This collection consists of news clips (filed by subject), subject files, bound records of appeal in the cases of the People v. Cahill, Harris, LaValle, Mateo, McCoy, and Taylor, notebooks with appellate briefs, New York county court papers arranged by county, government studies, reports and debates on capital punishment, annual reports, and a small number of VHS tapes recording court proceedings. There are defendant case files, some with correspondence, court papers, and news clips and others with just news clips.

Capital Jury Project, 1941-2011 81.8 cubic ft.

The Capital Jury Project (CJP) was started in 1991 under the direction of principal investigation, William J. Bowers. The project was funded by an NSF grant to conduct surveys of juror who participated in capital trials. There are three phases to the project.

Capital Punishment Clemency Petitions Collection, 1981-2020 6 cubic ft.

An artificial collection of over 150 clemency petitions filed by inmates from across the United States for the lessening of their death sentence.

Catholics Against Capital Punishment Records, 1972-2010 0.80 cubic ft.

The Catholics Against Capital Punishment Records is a small collection that contains several articles, statements, and pamphlets making a case against the death penalty from a Catholic standpoint.

Celeste Fitzgerald Papers, 1996-2012 6.0 cubic ft.

This collection documents the extensive work of death penalty abolitionist Celeste Fitzgerald in the State of New Jersey.

Clare Hogenauer Papers, 1999-2006, Undated 0.93 cubic ft.

The Clare Hogenauer Papers document her activism against the death penalty.

Correctional Association of New York Records, 1844-1988 30.97 cubic ft.

The Correctional Association of New York Records includes records from the Board of Directors, annual reports, prison visit files, Narcotics Committee files, program and bureau files, project files, subject files, and publications. The only records of the organization available from the nineteenth century are the annual reports, which have been microfilmed and are available in the University Library.

David Baldus Papers, 1965-2011 192.3 cubic ft.

The David C. Baldus Papers document the distinguished legal research career of David C. Baldus, which includes the most sophisticated challenges to capital punishment in the United States since the reinstatement of the Death Penalty in 1976. Included is material from the Georgia Charging & Sentencing Study, which was used as evidence in the McCleskey v. Kemp (1987) decision. Similar studies involving capital sentencing in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Military are also detailed, as is Baldus's formal reports to the supreme courts of a number of other states. Also present is material documenting Baldus's long career as the Joseph B. Tye Professor of Law at the University of Iowa Law School. This includes teaching material, presentations, publications, and material documenting faculty service.

David Von Drehle Papers, 1897-2003 7.5 cubic ft.

The David Von Drehle Papers contain information on the death penalty, primarily in Florida. Von Drehle compiled the materials while researching his 1995 book Among the Lowest of the Dead: Inside Death Row.

Death Penalty Information Center Records, 1985-2014 28.0 cubic ft.

This collection predominantly contains the Death Penalty Information Center's audio/video resources and clippings files on capital punishment.

Elisabeth Semel Papers, 1977-2012 8.66 cubic ft.

Elisabeth Semel's papers primarily consist of articles published from the 1990s to early 2000s used by Semel in her research and work concerning the death penalty.

Ernest Van Den Haag Papers, 1935-2000 11.45 cubic ft.

This collection is predominantly composed of Ernest van den Haag's publications from 1950-2000, including articles in published form, drafts, and related correspondence.

Eugene G. Wanger and Marilyn M. Wanger Death Penalty Collection, 1754-2022 149.2 cubic ft.

For over six decades, Eugene G. Wanger created or collected the materials about capital punishment that comprise the Eugene G. Wanger and Marilyn M. Wanger Death Penalty Collection. The collection includes a wide range of materials on the death penalty documenting its history, efforts to abolish or reinstate the practice, its psychological impact, compatibility on religious, moral or ethical grounds, and its operation.

Henry Schwarzschild Memorial Collection, 1926-2013, Undated 2.0 cubic ft.

The Henry Schwarzschild Memorial Collection contains papers, journal articles and other written materials about the death penalty. Lansing, Michigan attorney and death penalty opponent Eugene G. Wanger donated this collection in memory of Henry Schwarzschild (1925-1996), longtime director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project, and head of the New York office of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty at the time of his death.

Hugo A. Bedau Papers, 1954-2005 36 cubic ft.

Hugo A. Bedau (Ph.D., Harvard, 1961) was a commentator, scholar, and activist for the abolition of capital punishment. He was a prominent spokesperson in the abolitionist movement and well-known for his scholarship and writing concerning the death penalty and the challenge to separate logical arguments from moral arguments.

Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Records, 1963-2011 0.6 cubic ft.

The Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (ICADP) formed in 1976 as the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty by Mary Alice Rankin and other activist groups and organizations to try to prevent passage of capital punishment legislation in Illinois. After the state adopted the death penalty in 1977, ICADP expanded its grassroots legislative, education, and communication activities to try to inform the public about flaws and injustices in the Illinois capital punishment system and promote humane alternatives to the death penalty.

James Acker Papers, 1989-2013 19 cubic ft.

This collection contains a substaintial amount of material on the death penalty in New York State created or collected by Dr. James Acker. It also consists of Dr. Acker's research materials and other initatives involving capital punishment which he was involved in while teaching at the University at Albany School of Criminal Justice.

Jeffrey Walsh Collection, 1985-2002 8.33 cubic ft.

This collection documents investigator Jeffrey Walsh's work on the Frank Lee Smith case. Smith was convicted of rape and murder and served 14 years on Death Row in Florida before dying of cancer. Less than a year after his death he was exonerated.

Jonathan Sorensen Papers, 1973-2004 0.38 cubic ft.

This collection consists of Professor Jonathan Sorensen's audio and paper materials documenting the 1973 re-establishment of the death penalty in Texas.

Karli Keator Papers, 1987-2006 .61 cubic ft.

Convicted of a 2000 murder in Texas and sentenced to death, Deon Tumblin committed suicide in his cell in 2004. This collection contains research materials about the Tumblin case, compiled by then graduate student Karli Keator.

Leigh B. Bienen Papers, 1872, 1935, 1951-2011, Undated, bulk 1971-2011 23.2 cubic ft.

The Leigh Bienen Papers include the records of the New Jersey Proportionality Review Project, the Illinois Capital Punishment Reform Study Commission, and the academic research papers of legal scholar Leigh Bienen. The New Jersey records contain material from New Jersey Public Defender Homicide Study directed by Bienen in the mid-1980s. The collection also includes the records from Bienen's involvement with the New Jersey Proportionality Review Project headed by Special Master David C. Baldus. Also present is material from Leigh Bienen's tenure on the Illinois Capital Punishment Reform Study Commission which resulted in the abolition of the death penalty in that state in 2011. Finally the collection contains Leigh Bienen's scholarly research material during her career teaching at both Princeton University and Northwestern University. Her research focused on proportionality review, the death penalty's monetary costs, and the role of prosecutor discretion.

Leonel Herrera Collection, 1954-2007 1.27 cubic ft.

The Herrera Collection contain materials associated with the life and trial of Leonel Herrera, as well as materials included in the book <em>Last Words from Death Row: The Walls Unit</em>, written by Leonel Herrera's sister, Norma Herrera Ellis.

Margaret Vandiver Papers, 1975-2012 31 cubic ft.

The Margaret Vandiver Papers document Dr. Vandiver's research in capital punishment, involvement with abolitionist organizations, and work with individuals sentenced to death.

Margery Koosed Papers, 1986-2008 1.4 cubic ft.

This collection contains materials related to the capital punishment case of Richard Cooey, executed in Ohio in 2008 for homicide.

Marie Deans Papers, 1957-2015 4.36 cubic ft.

This collection documents the death penalty abolitionist work of Marie McFadden Deans. A smaller amount of personal materials, such as Deans' poetry and writing, also is included.

Maryland Citizens Against State Executions Records, 1962-2013 4.9 cubic ft.

The Maryland Citizens Against State Executions (Maryland or MD CASE) Records contain documents from over 25 groups and 1,300 individuals that united to help successfully end the death penalty in Maryland in 2013 through education, grassroots action, and public demonstration. The collection consists of correspondence, meeting minutes, legislation, lobbying materials, subject files, special event and conference materials, case files and clippings.

Meltsner, Michael Papers, 1973-2005 3 cubic ft.

Michael Meltsner is a prominent lawyer and civil rights activist. Meltsner is also an opponent of the death penalty. The collection contains assorted capital punishment materials including clippings, journal articles, correspondence and files used in writing the death penalty chapters of Michael Meltsner's book, The Making of a Civil Rights Lawyer.

Michael Mello Papers, 1800-2008, bulk 1970-2004 42.2 cubic ft.

Michael A. Mello (1957-2008) was an internationally recognized authority on the death penalty and capital punishment issues. He was a lawyer, professor, and author. Michael Mello served as counsel or informal advisor to many significant cases, including Joseph Robert Crazy Joe Spaziano, Theodore Kaczynski, Theodore Bundy, Rolando Cruz, Alvin Ford, Stephen Todd Booker, and Robert Straight.

Michael Radelet Papers, 1984-2006 6 cubic ft.

This collection contains the papers of Michael Radelet.

Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation Records, 1977-2007, bulk 1994-2003 13.5 cubic ft.

The Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation Records document the organization's efforts to abolish the death penalty in all cases. The organization includes family members of both homicide victims and those executed as well as their respective supporter. Included in the collection are handwritten notes, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, brochures, booklets, programs, information packets, photographs, flyers, proofs, drafts, manuscripts, correspondence, memos, transcripts, mailing lists, schedules, meeting agenda, meeting minutes, meeting summaries, by-laws, manuals, checklists, worksheets, evaluation forms, resumes, applications, forms, financial summaries, budgets, contracts, court proceedings, legislative bills, amici curiae, memorabilia, audio/video materials.

M. Watt Espy Papers, 1730-2008 88.76 cubic ft.

The M. Watt Espy papers chronicle the extensive research efforts that led to the creation of the Capital Punishment Research Project and the database known as the Espy File. Espy spent three decades gathering and indexing documentation of legal executions in the United States. His papers contain both primary and secondary sources used to catalog thousands of instances of capital punishment in the United States and its territories since the 1600s. The collection includes material from corrections records, newspapers, county histories, legal proceedings, and books. In addition to the records pertaining specifically to the death penalty, there is also a selection of magazines collected by Espy that cover true crime stories as well as life in the American Old West.

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Records, 1972-2006, Undated, bulk 1981-2006 27.55 cubic ft.

Since 1976 the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty has been working to educate the public about the failings and inconsistencies of capital punishment in the United States. Founded after the Gregg v. Georgia Supreme Court decision in 1976, the NCADP has emerged as one of the more influential national anti-death penalty organizations. The collection contains the group's internal case files, administrative material, publications, petitions, photographic materials, video tapes, and audio cassettes.

New Yorkers for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, 1984-2011 14 cubic ft.

This collection contains the records of New Yorkers for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NYADP).

New York State Assembly Death Penalty Hearings Collection, 1965-2006 1.4 cubic ft.

The Death Penalty in New York Testimony Collections gathers the testimonials given by 137 witnesses to several committees of the New York State Assembly having to do with sentences involving the death penalty.

New York State Defenders Association Records, 1975-1998 12.0 cubic ft.

The collection contains photocopied news clippings related to the death penalty, amassed by the New York State Defenders Association.

Rick Halperin Papers, 1982-2000 11.1 cubic ft.

Death penalty abolitionist who worked with many anti-death penalty organizations, capital defense attorneys, representatives of various communities of faith, newspaper editorial boards, victims' rights groups, members of the families of the condemned, and many death row inmates throughout the country.

Robert Gross Papers, 1973-1997 10.85 cubic ft.

This collection includes materials created or collected during Robert (Bob) Gross' work with the organizations National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing as well as the Lighting the Torch of Conscience initiative.

Southern Coalition on Jails and Prisons Records, 1970-1992 10.5 cubic ft.

Organized in 1974, the Southern Coalition on Jails and Prisons was formed to promote greater awareness of the problems of prisons and corrections, improve communication between the prison population and the outside world, and advocate for alternatives to the death penalty.

Steve Hall Papers, 1978-2010 14 cubic ft.

This collection documents Steve Hall's work with and knowledge of criminal justice and the death penalty, especially in Texas.

Steven Hawkins Papers, 1991-2003 3.2 cubic ft.

Records of Steven W. Hawkins's tenure as Executive Director of the National Coalition Against the Death Penalty. The papers include extensive minutes of board meetings, speeches, travel arrangements, fundraising and reception notes, and pamphlets and other papers relating to his attendance at various board and committee meetings with related organizations.

Steven King Ainsworth Papers, 1993-2018 .33 cubic ft.

The Steven King Ainsworth Papers contain his artwork and writings, including "Heads Up" bulletins written by Ainsworth for prison inmates sentenced to life, life without parole, and their advocates.

The Engaged Zen Foundation Records, 1990-2004 10.0 cubic ft.

The collection contains materials related to capital punishment and criminal justice.

Victor L. Streib Papers, 1908-2012, Undated, bulk 1978-2007 22.8 cubic ft.

The Victor Streib Papers contain research materials and legal case files on the death penalty in the United States with a focus on how it has been applied to women and juveniles.

Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Records, 1937-2008 16.65 cubic ft.

This collection contains materials used by Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (VADP) in its efforts to end capital punishment in Virginia.

Archives & Manuscripts

Collections : [National Death Penalty Archive]