N.J. Lawmakers May Suspend Executions

N.J. Lawmakers May Suspend Executions

By ANGELA DELLI SANTI
Associated Press Writer

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey is on track to become the third state to suspend executions while it studies the cost and fairness of the death penalty.

After receiving a crucial vote of support from the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday, the proposal will head Monday to the full Assembly, which is expected to approve it. The state Senate already passed the measure 30-6, and acting Gov. Richard J. Codey, a Democrat, has indicated he would sign it before leaving office Jan. 17.

Illinois and Maryland have also imposed death-penalty moratoriums; Maryland's has since been lifted. But both those moves were the result of governor's orders. New Jersey would be the first state to put executions on hold by legislative action.

New Jersey has 10 people on death row, none of them on track to be executed anytime soon. The state brought back capital punishment in 1982. It has not executed anyone since 1963.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NJ_DEATH_PENALTY?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

Now let's outlaw the DP entirely.