NY Times Crossword
March 27, 2018
Peter Koetters
(Title shown below)

The following phrases should suggest a familiar subject. What is it?

1. Head over heels in love
2. Boy, is he ever gonna be mad.
3. An apple is tasty.
4. Going to hell in a hand basket
5. Weakest link in the chain
6. Rich man, poor man
7. Did you know the man?
8. Freelancing writer wanted.
9. A gust of wind
10. Conquered my fears

HINT:
Wordplay is fair play.

Answer:

Each phrase conceals a homophone for a US state capital:

1. heaD OVER heels in love 
2. BOISE ever gonna be mad.
3. ANNAPOLIS tasty.
4. going to HELENA hand basket
5. weakest LINCOLN the chain
6. RICHMOND, poor man
7. JUNEAU the man?
8. free LANSING writer wanted
9. AUGUSTA wind
10. CONCORD my fears

Puzzle title: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT