Virginia Senate advances death penalty abolition bill for final vote (Source: wvir) By Associated Press | February 2, 2021 at 7:50 PM EST - Updated February 2 at 9:06 PM
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) A bill that would abolish the death penalty in Virginia cleared a hurdle in the state Senate on Tuesday and is poised for a final vote later this week.
The Democrat-controlled chamber voted to advance the measure for a third and final reading, likely Wednesday, after rejecting a Republican senator’s proposed changes to the bill that would have significantly altered it.
Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment sought to recast the bill in a way that would not abolish the death penalty entirely but would reduce its scope. His proposals were defeated.