# A former death row lawyer explains why she now jokes about executions

A longtime capital defense attorney reflects on her career and explains how gallows humor became a coping mechanism. In a personal essay, she argues that joking about the death penalty helps address its emotional toll. The piece offers insight into the psychological burden on lawyers handling death penalty cases.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Entertainment
- [The Guardian Culture](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/ng-interactive/2026/aug/04/death-row-lawyer-standup-comedy) — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:00:50 GMT