Gov. Ralph Northam will be introducing a bill to abolish the death penalty that, if successful, would make Virginia the first Southern state to end capital punishment.
By FRANK GREEN | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Gov. Ralph Northam will be introducing a bill to abolish the death penalty that, if successful, would make Virginia the first Southern state to end capital punishment.
âI understand about timing and I suspect this is the year to end the death penalty in Virginia,â Northam told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Tuesday.
âIâve felt strongly about this for a long time,â the governor said. âWeâve been doing so much good work on equity, especially criminal justice reform, and we have the majority in the House and the Senate.â
Although abolition bills have been introduced in the General Assembly frequently in recent decades, this appears to be the first time one will be introduced by a governor. This yearâs regular session begins Wednesday.
Va advocates set to try again on death penalty repeal corrections1.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from corrections1.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
1:34
Sandy Hausman reports on what’s been promised and why the ACLU is unhappy with progress in protecting prisoners.
If you’re a regular RADIO IQ listener, you may remember the story of Andre Daniels, a 32-year-old inmate at the Greensville Correctional Center, serving a 21-year sentence for carjacking. Daniels says he was in a bad mental state at the time, having lost his job in construction, and just wanted to leave Hampton Roads.
“My life was just spiraling out of control, he recalls. I wasn t able to find a job, and I fell behind on my bills, got evicted from my apartment and everything was just happening so fast.”
Virginia advocates set to try again on death penalty repeal sfgate.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sfgate.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.