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Garland’s first capital case: Gendron faces death penalty

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 11:10 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Gendron Faces Death Penalty

U.S. prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Payton Gendron for the May 14, 2022 Buffalo supermarket massacre.
It is the first federal capital case overseen by Attorney General Merrick Garland after he lifted the death-penalty moratorium.
Jury selection began Tuesday for Gendron’s federal hate-crime trial in Buffalo, New York.
Gendron’s defense does not dispute guilt and will present mitigating evidence to avoid execution.

Summary

Court Reduces Jury Pool

The juror pool was reduced from roughly 1,200 applicants to about 700 after questionnaire screening.
Prospects will be brought to court in groups of 70 for direct questioning by prosecution and defense.
The court clerk estimates finalizing twelve jurors and six alternates will take six to eight weeks.
Federal courthouse rules forbid any recording or photography inside the courtroom during the trial.

History

Historical Context

After the 1976 Gregg v. Georgia decision ended the Furman moratorium, Congress reinstated the federal death penalty with the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act signed by President Bill Clinton. The law produced 13 federal executions under President Donald Trump in 2020-21 after a 17-year hiatus. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s 2021 moratorium now faces a revival in the Payton Gendron hate-crime case.

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Gendron Faces Death Penalty

U.S. prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Payton Gendron for the May 14, 2022 Buffalo supermarket massacre.
It is the first federal capital case overseen by Attorney General Merrick Garland after he lifted the death-penalty moratorium.
Jury selection began Tuesday for Gendron’s federal hate-crime trial in Buffalo, New York.
Gendron’s defense does not dispute guilt and will present mitigating evidence to avoid execution.

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