An American dilemma : international law, capital punishment, and federalism

An American Dilemma examines the issue of capital punishment in the United States as it conflicts with the nation's obligations under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. In a number of high profile cases, foreign nationals have been executed after being denied their rights under the Vienna Convention. The International Court of Justice has ruled against the United States, but individual states have chosen to defy international law. The Supreme Court has not resolved the question of legal remedies for such breaches. Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-7 American Exceptionalism....Pages 9-22 The Legal Framework: Capital Punishment Law and the Rights of Foreign Nationals....Pages 23-39 The Execution of a Foreign National: The Case of Angel Breard....Pages 41-63 The Execution of a Foreign National: The Case of Joseph Stanley Faulder....Pages 65-80 The Execution of Two Foreign Nationals: The Case of Karl and Walter LaGrand....Pages 81-95 Avena: Mexico v. United States and the Case of Jose Medellin....Pages 97-119 Sovereignty and Federalism: Texas as a Case Study....Pages 121-133 The Execution of a Foreign National: Humberto Leal Garcia and After....Pages 135-153 Back Matter....Pages 155-189