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N.J. Senate Votes to Abolish the Death Penalty

By Jeralyn, Section Death Penalty
Posted on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 05:47:15 PM EST
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The death penalty in New Jersey is on it's way out.

The state Senate approved legislation Monday that would make New Jersey the first state to abolish the death penalty since 1976, when the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to impose the sentence.

Death sentences would be changed to life without parole. The bill is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House, perhaps Thursday, and then go to Gov. John Corzine. Corzine, a death penalty opponent, likely will sign it into law by January 8.

This is not a sudden development. [More...]

The effort to abolish capital punishment in New Jersey stems from a January report by a special state commission. It found the death penalty was a more expensive sentence than life in prison and has not deterred murder. "The death penalty is barbaric and fatally flawed beyond repair," said Sen. Shirley Turner, a Democrat who sponsored the bill.

....the bill has been supported by clergy and family members of murder victims who contend New Jersey's death penalty law has proven meaningless.

New Jersey currently has eight men on death row.

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    N.J. Senate Votes to Abolish the Death Penalty | 4 comments (4 topical)

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    Congratulations! (none / 0) (#1)
    by Key on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 06:03:05 PM EST
    Congratulations on being named one of the top 100 Blawgs by the ABA.  I just got my copy of the December 2007 issue of the ABA Journal and there you are!

    You're Welcome (none / 0) (#2)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 06:17:54 PM EST
    And if you'd vote here for TalkLeft in the Politics of Sport Category, we'd really appreciate it.

    Thanks for the note!

    Parent

    It's its, not it's (none / 0) (#3)
    by DavidDvorkin on Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 07:42:07 PM EST
    On its way out, not it's way out.

    Congratulations, and a big round of applause (none / 0) (#4)
    by Al on Tue Dec 11, 2007 at 09:41:26 AM EST
    to the people of the state of New Jersey. Here's hoping their example will inspire everyone else.

    N.J. Senate Votes to Abolish the Death Penalty | 4 comments (4 topical)

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