September 22 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. MST
Virtual Discussion | Featuring Author Corinna Barrett Lain
CLE credits: 0.75 maximum general credits available
Join the Montana Innocence Project for our next Community Conversation as we explore Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection with author and leading death penalty scholar Corinna Barrett Lain.
For many Americans, lethal injection has long been viewed as a clinical and relatively painless form of execution. In Secrets of the Killing State, legal scholar Corinna Barrett Lain examines how that perception was created—and how it differs from the reality.
Drawing from years of legal research, historical records, court documents, medical evidence, and firsthand accounts, Lain traces the history of lethal injection and explores the legal, political, and cultural forces that have shaped its use. Rather than focusing on a single case, the book examines the broader system of capital punishment, asking difficult questions about transparency, accountability, and the role of the state in carrying out executions.
Although Montana currently has a moratorium on executions, the death penalty remains legal in our state. The Montana Innocence Project has consistently opposed efforts to resume executions and has advocated alongside partners in the Legislature to preserve the moratorium. Our position is grounded in the reality that more than 200 people have been exonerated from death row in the United States. Because the death penalty cannot be undone, we believe the risk of executing an innocent person is unacceptable and that capital punishment should be abolished.
During this virtual discussion, Corinna Barrett Lain will discuss the research behind the book, the history of lethal injection, and what these findings reveal about our criminal legal systems. Participants will have the opportunity to hear directly from the author, ask questions, and engage in a thoughtful conversation about one of the most consequential—and least understood—issues in criminal justice.
Our Community Conversations are for everyone! Reading the book beforehand is encouraged but not required. We hope you’ll join us to learn from the author, engage with fellow community members, and be part of this important conversation.
Register
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. MST
Location: Zoom
Click here to register: https://umontana.zoom.us/meeting/register/4-EfTxGzToGZRLt1f5ifSA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We look forward to learning, reflecting, and being in conversation together about this important issue!