C-SPAN's Landmark Cases series examines 1976 SCOTUS decision in Gregg v. Georgia

C-SPAN has this ongoing series called Landmark Cases "produced in partnership with the National Constitution Center [that] explores the issues, people and places involved in some of the most significant Supreme Court cases in our nation's history." As C-SPAN puts it, "Landmark Cases introduces viewers to the stories of the plaintiffs who sparked these cases and to the justices and lawyers who were key to the Supreme Court's review. The series visits historic sites and other locations that bring these cases to life and studio guests interacting with C-SPAN viewers offer historic context and modern relevance to the programs."

This week's broadcast, linked here, is focused on the Supreme Court's the 1976 decision in Gregg v. Georgia, although a range of issues related to the history and constitutionality of the death penalty are discussed. The astutely-selected guests for participation in this C-SPAN program were Harvard Law Professor Carol Steiker and Criminal Justice Legal Foundation Legal Director Kent Scheidegger.

Notably, the first two seasons of Landmark Cases have yet to cover any case after 1978, so I suppose I cannot yet get grumpy that the Apprendi, Blakely, Booker line of cases. But C-SPAN says it picks "the most significant and frequently cited cases" for its program, and these sentencing cases certainly fit that description.