"N.H. House again approves repealing death penalty," is the AP report, via the Portland Press Herald.
With its first attempt stalled in the Senate, the House voted Wednesday for the second time this year to repeal New Hampshire’s death penalty in hopes a botched execution in Oklahoma will change the outcome.
The key vote was 218-117 to require a life sentence for anyone convicted of capital murder. The vote sends the bill back to the Senate where supporters hope senators will reconsider their 12-12 vote last month on the first repeal bill passed by the House.
The Senate tabled the first bill, leaving open the possibility it could be resurrected. But time is running out before the session ends June 5.
The New Hampshire Union Leader reports, "Death penalty repeal goes back to Senate for reconsideration," by Garry Rayno.
“The events in Oklahoma warrant giving legislators another opportunity this year to get New Hampshire out of the execution business,” said House Bill 1170’s prime sponsor, Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, whose father was shot and killed by an off-duty Hampton police officer.
Cushing is the co-funder of an organization of family members of murder victims opposed to the death penalty.
Earlier coverage from New Hampshire begins at the link.
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