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Death penalty in the USA: 26 executions in 2025 - highest level in 10 years!
In July 2025, 26 people, including Michael Bell in Florida, were executed in the United States. The death penalty is on the rise.
Death penalty in the USA: 26 executions in 2025 - highest level in 10 years!
On July 15, 2025, Michael Bell was executed by injection in Florida. This is the 26th execution in the US since the beginning of the year and marks the highest level in a decade. Bell, a 54-year-old, was convicted of the 1993 murders of Jimmy West, 23, and Tamecka Smith, 18. The murder occurred as revenge for his brother's death, in which he accidentally killed the murderer's brother and his companion. Such tragedies are part of a complex story that raises many questions.
Michael Bell was one of about 30 people sentenced to death who attended the infamous Florida School of Boys, also known as “Dozier,” in their youth. This facility, which closed in 2011 after more than a century of operation, inspired the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead. Anthropologists found the remains of 55 anonymous graves on the property in 2016, further adding to the school's sinister reputation.
Current execution statistics
Executions in the USA will increase in 2025. More than half of the 26 executions took place in the states of Florida, Texas and South Carolina. Of the 26 cases, 21 people were executed by injection, three by nitrogen inhalation, and two by firing squad. Interestingly, the firing squads in South Carolina were the first in the United States since 2010.
Overall, the death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 US states, and California, Oregon and Pennsylvania have imposed moratoriums on executions ordered by their respective governors. A further nine executions are currently planned for 2025. Death Penalty Info shows that the recent increase in executions is due to decisions made by elected officials in some states.
Social debate and outlook
The increase in executions is leading to considerable debate about the death penalty in the United States. Opponents argue that it is inhumane and often leads to injustice, especially in cases where those convicted have dark youth histories. The historical burden of institutions like the Florida School of Boys is discussed again and again.
As the discourse surrounding the death penalty continues, the challenges of modern jurisprudence and the different approaches taken by states are becoming apparent. Information on this topic and further developments can also be found on the website Initiative against the death penalty, which continuously provides current statistics and analysis.