Several months ago the Delaware Supreme Court ruled that Delaware’s death penalty law is unconstitutional. This ruling was made public in August and there have been no executions in the state since. Currently twelve people sit on what was formerly death row. Proponents of the death penalty in Delaware argue that this most extreme form of punishment is absolutely appropriate for someone like James Cooke.
Cooke was convicted of raping and murdering a 20-year-old University of Delaware student in 2005. He was sentenced to death. The court will soon hear arguments to determine whether or not those sentenced to death should still be executed according to the law at the time of their sentencing. A decision will likely be made soon regarding the fate of Cooke and the eleven others.