Richardson Foregoes Money Argument, Cites
Morality
Gov. Bill Richardson has signed a
bill to abolish the death penalty in New
Mexico.
A Long, Personal Journey Ends
Richardson, who was previously a
supporter of capital punishment, said repealing
the death penalty marked the end of a "long,
personal journey" for him personally.
"The
sad truth is the wrong person can still be
convicted in this day and age, and in cases
where that conviction carries with it the
ultimate sanction, we must have ultimate
confidence - I would say certitude - that
the system is without flaw or prejudice," Richardson
said.
Word of Repeal Spread Quickly
After the announcement, news spread
quickly through the Roundhouse and was featured
prominently on national media Web sites.
The repeal will only pertain to crimes
committed on or after July 1, 2009. That
means the two New Mexicans currently on death
row, as well as others whose cases are pending,
could still be executed.
(3/18/09, Albuquerque
Journal)
