Experts on Campus to Discuss the Future of the Death Penalty in America

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Law Review along with University of Arkansas School of Law's Brian Gallini, associate dean for faculty and professor of law; Laurent Sacharoff, associate professor of law; and Tiffany Murphy, associate professor of law, present The Future of the Death Penalty.

The annual Arkansas Law Review symposium will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, in the law school's E.J. Ball Courtroom and will feature a keynote address by Marty Stroud, practicing attorney and recipient of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project Champion of Justice Award, and panel discussions with nationally respected experts. Stroud, along with 12 guest scholars and practitioners will participate in broad discussions addressing the macro issues, which will narrow into examinations of specific constitutional arguments supporting and opposing the continuance of the death penalty in America.

The symposium is worth six hours of continuing legal education credit, and the public is invited to attend. Admission is free but registration is requested. Register here to reserve your seat.

Sessions, Speakers, Moderators

8:30-8:45 a.m. — Welcome and Symposium Introduction

8:45-10:15 a.m. — Panel I: Problems with Death: macro issues with the death penalty

• Andrea Armstrong, associate professor of law, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
• Robert Dunham, attorney and a nationally recognized expert on the death penalty
• Michael Mannheimer, professor of law and associate dean for faculty development, Northern Kentucky University Chase School of Law
• Tiffany Murphy, moderator, associate professor, University of Arkansas School of Law

10:15-10:30 a.m. — Break

10:30 a.m.-noon — Panel II: Death in Arkansas: a retrospective

• Matt Mendel, clinical and forensic psychologist retained in more than 130 forensic cases
• Nathan Smith, prosecuting attorney for 19th Judicial District West, Arkansas
• Julie Vandiver, assistant federal public defender in the Capital Habeas Unit, Eastern District, Arkansas
• Lee Rudofsky, moderator, solicitor general, State of Arkansas

12:10-1:00 p.m. — Keynote Address: Capital Punishment: the great American paradox by Marty Stroud

1:00-1:15 p.m. — Break

1:15-2:45 — Panel III: When Death Goes Wrong: wrongful convictions that lead to death

• Jelani Jefferson Exum, professor of law, University of Toledo College of Law
• Jennifer Givens, legal director, Innocence Project Clinic, University of Virginia School of Law
• Jordan Steiker, Judge Robert M. Parker Chair in Law and director of the Capital Punishment Center, University of Texas School of Law
• Jordan Woods, moderator, assistant professor, University of Arkansas School of Law

2:45-3:00 p.m. — Break

3:00-4:15 p.m. — Panel IV: Methods of Execution: a look at the U.S. Supreme Court's most recent case law on the topic alongside recent state decisions to postpone executions

• Debbie Denno, Arthur A. McGivney Professor of Law and founding director of the Neuroscience and Law Center, Fordham University School of Law
• Janet Hoeffel, Catherine D. Pierson Professor of Law, Tulane Law School
• Susan Rozelle, professor of law and the associate dean for academic affairs, Stetson University College of Law
• Danielle Weatherby, moderator, associate professor, University of Arkansas School of Law

4:15-4:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks by the Arkansas Law Review Executive Committee