Virginia may be first in south to abolish death penalty and abandon legalized lynching msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Virginia moves closer to abolishing the death penalty
and last updated 2021-01-19 07:03:25-05
RICHMOND, Va. Considered the ultimate punishment, the death penalty may soon no longer be an option for Virginiaâs juries and prosecutors.
With a 10-4 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced S.B. 1165 on Monday.
One Republican joined nine Democrats to move the bill to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) sponsored the bill that, if signed into law, would abolish the death penalty including for those currently under a death sentence.
Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Glade Hill) is the chief co-patron of the legislation.
Virginia House and Senate are poised to attempt a repeal of its capital punishment statute, as
Governor Ralph Northam (pictured) announced that he would sponsor a bill to end the commonwealth’s death penalty.
Northam issued a call to abolish the death penalty during his January 13, 2021 State of the Commonwealth address marking the opening of the 2021 legislative session. “It’s time to change the law and end the death penalty in Virginia,” Northam said. “We’re taking these actions because we value people and we believe in treating them equitably.”
His action marked the first time in Virginia history that a sitting governor had sponsored death-penalty repeal legislation.
RICHMOND â A group of African American pastors from across Virginia on Thursday called for abolition of the death penalty in the upcoming Virginia General Assembly, citing the sometimes racist application of capital punishment in the state.
âThe history of capital punishment finds its roots in slavery, lynching and Jim Crow,â said Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, justice reform organizer for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. âCapital punishment is a racial justice issue. It is beyond time for us to address this historical sin.â
Roberta Oster, communications director for the center, which organized Thursdayâs event, said abolishing the death penalty is one of the groupâs top legislative priorities for the 2021 legislative session.