The Second Circuit doesn't decide a lot of death penalty cases. Vermont has decided not to have the death penalty through the democratic process. New York's was nullified by Their Imperial Highnesses at the NY Court of Appeals. Connecticut cases don't make it out of the state courts, except for one volunteer.

Today, however, USCA2 decided the case of Donald Fell. "Fell and an accomplice kidnapped Terry King, 53, from a [Vermont] supermarket, took her to New York state, and beat and kicked her to death in November 2000. Fell and his accomplice had earlier killed his mother and her companion." Sweet guy. Murder is generally a state-law matter, but kidnapping across state lines is a federal offense. See 18 USC §1201(a)(1). The conviction and sentence were affirmed, reports Larry Neumeister of AP. Decision here.