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March 15, 2009

Gov. Richardson asking for public input on whether to sign death penalty abolition bill

As noted in this post, late Friday the New Mexico state legislature finally passed a bill to repeal the death penalty in that state. Now, as detailed in this local story, Gov. Bill Richardson is actively seeking public input concerning whether he should sign the bill:

Gov. Bill Richardson, whose signature could abolish the death penalty in New Mexico, spoke publicly Saturday about his dilemma over signing the bill. The governor said in the days after the attacks of 9-11, he supported the death penalty. But in the last couple of years, he says his thinking has started to change. "You see prosecutorial abuse, you see inmates that have been wrongly incarcerated, you see DNA evidence that's faulty," Richardson said. Those doubts could play a role in Richardson's decision to either sign or reject a bill passed by the New Mexico Senate Friday that would abolish the death penalty for life without parole. The governor has until Wednesday to decide. "I've struggled with this. It's something probably that you get as governor once in a lifetime, so I want to make the right choice," he said.... The governor said he is looking for the public's input before he decides. "I want to hear compelling argument, factual arguments. I want to hear from the clergy-conscious arguments," he said.... The governor's office has been flooded with thousands of calls and e-mails on the issues, with opinion split evenly. Now, the governor says he wants to go face-to-face with voters. "We're going to be available all weekend to hear from constituents," he said. "I'm going to meet with constituents on Monday--anyone that wants to talk to me about this issue," he said. You can call the governor at 505-476-2225. You can also e-mail him through his website under the "contact the governor" link.

March 15, 2009 at 09:23 AM | Permalink

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Comments

Amazing post about actual theme, thanx =)

Posted by: Lena | Mar 15, 2009 4:36:51 PM

I'm sorry to see that Bill Richardson has now forgotten all about the victims of 9/11.

Just kidding, of course.

Posted by: Moritzian | Mar 15, 2009 7:42:35 PM

My guess: Richardson would like to do away with death, but he's more concerned with doing away any chance of becoming president in the process.

Posted by: Jacob Berlove | Mar 15, 2009 10:48:07 PM

do you have any fotos ofr htis story?

Posted by: Leshka | Mar 16, 2009 5:35:23 AM

What part of Thou Shall Not Kill does Bill not get?

Posted by: mpb | Mar 16, 2009 9:30:35 AM

post is very good, I'm trying to use Yahoo fvor much information..

Posted by: Formula | Mar 16, 2009 5:56:29 PM

The death penalty should be abolished. Our Justice system is imperfect. In fact it has been imperfect over 225 times in murder cases. DNA evidence proved these people not guilty, yet many were sentenced to DEATH and some life in prison without possibility of parole. Putting an innocent to death is MURDER. There are too many cases where evidence is supressed and DA's/Investigators are more interested in promotion than justice. Juries are not given all the facts. Not something I want on my conscience. Life in Prison without possibility of parole is terrible enough and it allows time for exoneration if a mistake is made. MANY ARE.

Posted by: Morris | Mar 16, 2009 7:09:37 PM

Once convicted of the first murder, all others are immune, thanks to the criminal lover lawyer.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Mar 17, 2009 8:40:40 PM

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