In states without the death penalty , sentences of at least 20 years were obtained in 40 percent of those cases , but only 5 percent were guilty pleas , about one-quarter of the number in the death penalty states . Study : The New York Times WASHINGTON — President Trump has been a master of the political art of distraction. Eleven state legislatures have considered repealing the death penalty this year . Study relied on U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics data from 33 large urban counties .
Study : The New York Times WASHINGTON — President Trump has been a master of the political art of distraction. Eleven state legislatures have considered repealing the death penalty this year . Study relied on U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics data from 33 large urban counties .