自1976年恢复死刑以来,美国1999年的死刑执行创下了二十余年来的历史新高,达98人之多,较之1998年的68人增加了44%。同时,被判处死刑而又无罪释放的有8人———这一数字也在增加,从而使无罪开释的死刑犯人数自1973年以来已升至84人。其中最著名的当属伊丽诺伊斯州的阿瑟尼·波特 Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, the United States execution of death penalty in 1999 hit a record high of more than 20 years, reaching as many as 98, an increase of 44% over 68 in 1998. In the meantime, 8 people have been sentenced to death and acquitted - a figure is also rising, bringing the total number of those sentenced to death without charge to 84 since 1973. One of the most famous is the Athany Porter of Illinois