[3] In 2013, Hampton Roads had the highest crime rate by region in the state.
[6] Capital punishment was abolished in this state when Governor Ralph Northam signed a bill into law on March 24, 2021.
[7] Before that date, both the electric chair and lethal injection were used to execute prisoners.
[8] State and federal officials could opt to send violent criminals to face trial in Virginia rather than their current state due to Virginia judges being more willing to carry out execution.
When the “Beltway sniper” was arrested for 10 killings in the Washington area in 2002, federal authorities opted to send him to Virginia for prosecution even though most of the shootings took place in suburban Maryland.