Four states in the modern era, Nebraska in 2008, New York and Kansas in 2004, and Massachusetts in 1984, had their statutes ruled unconstitutional by state courts. The death rows of New York and Massachusetts were disestablished, and attempts to restore the death penalty were unsuccessful. Kansas successfully appealed State v. Kleypas, the Kansas Supreme Court decision that declared the state's death penalty statute unconstitutional, to the United States Supreme Court. Nebraska's death penalty statute was rendered ineffective on February 8, 2008 when the required method, electrocution, was ruled unconstitutional by the Nebraska Supreme Court. In 2009, Nebraska enacted a bill that changed its method of execution to lethal injection. COUNT 5
QSN1 In what year was Nebraska's death penalty statute ruled unconstitutional by a state court? ANS1 2008 QSN2 What state's court ruled capital punishment unconstitutional in 1984? ANS2 Massachusetts QSN3 In what case did the Kansas Supreme Court rule that the death penalty is unconstitutional in Kansas? ANS3 State v. Kleypas QSN4 What method of execution did the Nebraska Supreme Court rule unconstitutional? ANS4 electrocution QSN5 After electrocution was outlawed, how were Nebraska death row inmates executed? ANS5 lethal injection