Old Sparky

Old Sparky is the nickname of Florida's electric chair. It is notorious for malfunctioning, namely in the cases of Jesse Tafero (executed May 4, 1990) and Pedro Medina (executed March 25, 1997). Reportedly flames shot out of the convicts' heads during the execution, raising the question whether use of the electric chair was cruel and unusual punishment. The Florida Supreme Court determined that the electric chair was not unconstitutional in 1999, and it is still in use to this day. The sparking problems were due to improper practices of the prison staff, and not because of the electric chair itself. A major error by the staff was failure to properly moisten the sponge for the head electrode.

Related Topics:
Nickname - Florida - Electric chair - Jesse Tafero - May 4 - 1990 - Pedro Medina - March 25 - 1997 - Convict - Cruel and unusual punishment - Florida Supreme Court - Sponge - Electrode

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Old Sparky is also the nickname for electric chairs in various other states. Texas, New York, Louisiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, and Georgia all used this name for their chairs. In Illinois the electric chair was a legal alternative if lethal injection was found Unconstitutional. This was before Governor George H. Ryan invoked a moratorium on the death penalty. The term "Old Sparky" is sometimes used for the electric chair in general, and not one of a specific state.

Related Topics:
Texas - New York - Louisiana - Ohio - Illinois - Kentucky - Georgia - Electric chair - Lethal injection - Unconstitutional - George H. Ryan - Moratorium - Death penalty

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