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Communist Vietnam's secret death penalty conveyor belt: How country trails only China and Iran for 'astonishing' number of executions

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Prisoners are dragged from their cells at 4am without warning to be given a lethal injection Vietnam's use of the death penalty has been thrust into the spotlight after a real estate tycoon was on Thursday sentenced to be executed in one of the biggest corruption cases in the country's history. Truong My Lan, a businesswoman who chaired a sprawling company that developed luxury apartments, hotels, offices and shopping malls, was arrested in 2022.

Austin Myers: Jury recommends death penalty in Justin Back murder

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Austin Myers
LEBANON, Ohio – A Warren County jury recommended a 19-year-old killer be sentenced to death Monday evening for his role in the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Justin Back.

The jury's decision came after the mother of Austin Myers, 19, pleaded for her son's life.

Myers also asked jurors to spare him on behalf of his family.

"It's only going to cause more pain and suffering for another family," Myers said.

The jury took about six hours to decide he deserved to die.

Judge Donald Oda II will have the final say on whether Myers will be sentenced to death. He will make his decision on Oct. 16.

Myers' mother described a change in her son after she and his father split up.

Later Myers took the stand.

"It won't hurt me. I won't feel anything," he said. "It's going to hurt more innocent people."

"If there's one thing that anyone of you thinks is a positive in Austin Myers' life, then give him life. Spare his life," said Myers' defense attorney, Greg Howard.

"He should not be punished any more than (Timothy) Mosley will be."

Myers and Mosley were convicted of killing Back in January. Mosley pleaded guilty and testified against Myers in order to avoid the death penalty.


Source: 9WCPO, Jay Warren, October 6, 2014
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