"The six states, including Texas, that have participated in executions this year are out of step with the growing number of states that have completely abandoned the death penalty," Silberstein said.
On Wednesday, Texas put to death its 13th convicted killer this year. The killer, 36-year-old Raphael Holiday, was convicted for intentionally set fire and killed his 18-year-old daughter and two step sisters.
"Even Texas' 13 executions this year, almost half of the national total, are down significantly from 2000, when the state executed 40 people," Silberstein noted. "The death penalty is in deep decline throughout the United States, with executions at all-time lows."
More than 800 people have been executed in the United States in the past 15 years, according to the non-profit Death Penalty Information Center. The state of Texas has executed 329 people since 2000.
