Lawmakers vote to abolish death penalty in Virginia By DENISE LAVOIE and SARAH RANKIN, AP
February 22, 2021 / 4:16 PM / AP
Richmond, Virginia State lawmakers gave final approval Monday to legislation that will end capital punishment in Virginia, a dramatic turnaround for a state that has executed more people in its long history than any other.
The legislation repealing the death penalty now heads to Democratic Governor Ralph Northam, who has said he will sign it into law, making Virginia the 23rd state to stop executions. There s a realization that it is time to end this outdated practice that tends to bring more harm to victims family members than providing us any comfort or solace, said Rachel Sutphin, whose father, Corporal Eric Sutphin, was fatally shot in 2006 while working for the Montgomery County Sheriff s Office.