Oregon Public Radio KLCC-FM reports, "One Year After Death Penalty Moratorium, Little Has Happened." It's by Chris Lehman.
One year ago this week, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber stunned the state and made international headlines when he issued a moratorium on the death penalty. He said he hoped his action would spur state lawmakers to a conversation about the death penalty. But so far, there's little momentum for the legislature to act on the issue.Kitzhaber called Oregon's capital punishment system "compromised and inequitable." He said the ban on executions would last through the end of his time in office.
And he said "I call on the legislative branch to bring forth potential reforms to the 2013 legislature."
A full repeal of the death penalty would require approval by voters. Lawmakers could send such a measure to the ballot, or make changes to how the death penalty is applied.
But so far, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Floyd Prozanski says there's been relatively little discussion on the issue.
Earlier coverage from Oregon begins at the link.
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