"Death Penalty Opponents Sense Momentum, Still Waiting for Action," is by Greg Stotelmyer for Kentucky Public News Service.
More than a month into the 2013 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, bills have been filed in both the Kentucky House (HB 48) and Senate (SB 45) to abolish the death penalty, but neither piece of legislation has received a hearing yet.
Still, those who oppose executing a convicted killer say they still sense that momentum is building. Ben Griffith is among those who want to make life without parole the maximum sentence.
"I think you're on the slippery slope when you're asking the state to do killing for a victim family's closure," he said.
The death penalty remains legal in 33 states, but Kentucky is one of nine states where legislation to abolish executions is under consideration. Maryland lawmakers listened to testimony last week.
Griffith, who lives in Frankfort, has lived the death penalty debate first-hand since his brother, Christopher, was one of four people murdered in Missouri in 1986 by Donald Reese. Reese was executed 11 years later.
Griffith believes life without parole is "healthier" for family members of victims because closure can begin sooner.
And:
Thirty-four men and one woman now sit on death row in Kentucky. There have been three executions since Kentucky reinstated the death penalty in 1976.
Earlier coverage from Kentucky begins at the link.
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