Velma Barfield Becomes First Executed Woman Since 1962
November 2nd, 1984
November 2nd, 1984
How Long Ago?
40 years, 4 months, 13 days ago
Location
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Category
Crime & Law
People
- Velma Barfield
Links & References
Tags
Velma Barfield Becomes First Executed Woman Since 1962
Velma Barfield was executed in North Carolina, marking a significant moment in U.S. history as she became the first woman put to death since 1962. Barfield was convicted of murder, having poisoned her victims with arsenic. Amidst a national debate over capital punishment, her execution raised questions about the death penalty's application and its implications for women's roles in such cases. The event drew significant media attention, symbolizing a turning point in the discussion around the death penalty in America.
First woman executed in the U.S. since 1962
Executed by lethal injection in North Carolina
Convicted for poisoning multiple victims
Case sparked national debate on capital punishment
What Happened?
Velma Barfield, a woman convicted of murder, made headlines when she became the first female inmate to be executed in the United States in over two decades on November 2, 1984. Her method of execution was lethal injection at the Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina. Barfield's crimes included the poisoning of her elderly mother and other victims, driven by financial motives and a manipulative nature. Her lethal acts were juxtaposed against the historical backdrop of capital punishment, which had seen a decline in female executions. Prior to Barfield, the last woman executed was in 1962, highlighting the rarity of such events. Following her conviction in 1978, Barfield was initially sentenced to life imprisonment; however, her death sentence was reinstated after appeals failed. The execution reignited the national debate over the morality and effectiveness of capital punishment, particularly as it pertained to women who committed such heinous crimes. The case underscored societal perceptions of female offenders and the complexities surrounding their motivations.
Why Does it Matter?
The execution of Velma Barfield serves as a significant point in the ongoing discourse over capital punishment in the United States. It highlighted the evolving legal and societal attitudes toward women in the justice system. Barfield's case became a focal point for critics and supporters of the death penalty, prompting discussions about gender, crime, the psychological profiles of female offenders, and their treatment in the criminal justice system. The event acted as a catalyst for further scrutiny and reforms concerning capital punishment.
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