Virginia Bill To Abolish Death Penalty Heads To Gov

NBC News reports:

State lawmakers gave final approval Monday to a bill that will end capital punishment in Virginia, a dramatic turnaround for a state that has executed more people in its history than any other. The legislation repealing the death penalty now heads to Gov. Ralph Northam, who has said he will sign the measure, making Virginia the 23rd state to stop executions.

Virginia’s new Democratic majority pushed the repeal effort, arguing that the death penalty has been applied disproportionately to people of color, the mentally ill and the indigent. Republicans raised concerns about justice for victims and their family members, and said there are some crimes that are so heinous that the perpetrators deserve to be executed.

Read the full article.

Virginia set to become first Southern state to abolish death penalty after lawmakers’ final approval; governor is expected to sign https://t.co/1vzUskDgeR

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 22, 2021