Chapter XXXI. to prohibit Public Executions in the District of Columbia
247 words·~1 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-10/chapter-xxxi-624488·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Chap. XXXI.— An Act to prohibit Public Executions in the District of Columbia. Jan. 25, 1853. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That persons now underCapital punishment in District of Columbia to be private. sentence of death, or who shall hereafter be adjudged to suffer death, within the District of Columbia, shall be executed within the walls of some prison in the said District, or within a yard or enclosure adjoining such prison, and not elsewhere:
And it shall be the duty of the Marshal of theMarshal &c. to attend. District, or one of his deputies, with such officers of the prison, constables, and other peace-officers as such marshal or deputy may deem necessary and proper, to attend at such execution. Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted*, That the said Marshal or his deputy shall invite the District Attorney, and the counsel of the prisoner, two or more physicians, and twelve respectable citizens to be presentWho to be present. at every such execution; and, at the request of the person to be executed, shall also allow any ministers of the Gospel, not more than three in number, and any of his or her near relatives to be present thereat; but no person or persons other than those in this act mentioned, and no person whatever under the age of twenty-one years, shall be allowed to witness any such execution.
Approved, January 25, 1853.