Lawmakers approve measure to suspend executions in New Jersey

newsday.com ^ | January 9, 2006, 7:08 PM EST | By ANGELA DELLI SANTI

[Calpernia]

TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey lawmakers voted Monday to suspend executions while a task force studies the fairness and costs of imposing the death penalty.

The measure now heads to Gov. Richard J. Codey for his signature. Codey has indicated he will sign it before leaving office on Jan. 17.

A 13-member study commission will have until November to report on whether the death penalty is fairly imposed and whether alternatives would ensure public safety and address the needs of victims' families.

(excerpt)

[Calpernia]

http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-00122412.html

N.J. Lawmakers Suspend Executions
Staff and agencies
09 January, 2006



By ANGELA DELLI SANTI, 10 minutes ago

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey lawmakers voted Monday to suspend executions while a task force studies the fairness and costs of imposing the death penalty.

Under the measure, a 13-member commission would have until November to report on whether the death penalty is fairly imposed and whether alternatives would ensure public safety and address the needs of victims‘ families.

There are 10 prisoners on New Jersey‘s death row. While capital punishment was reinstated in the state in 1982, the last execution took place in 1963.

"By its action today, the Assembly joins the Senate in signaling deep concern that the state‘s death penalty system isn‘t working," said Celeste Fitzgerald, director of New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. She said capital punishment is meted out unfairly and risks executing the innocent.

The bill had bipartisan legislative support.

"The injustice of the current system, and the steep price tag of it as well, means we ought to take a look at it," Roberts said.

"We‘ve heard about people who have been put to death and were then found to be innocent. We‘ve looked at the cost, which is enormously more for someone on death row than for a person who‘s imprisoned for life without parole," Allen said.

[mmercier]

There are 10 prisoners on New Jersey‘s death row. While capital punishment was reinstated in the state in 1982, the last execution took place in 1963.

"By its action today, the Assembly joins the Senate in signaling deep concern that the state‘s death penalty system isn‘t working," said Celeste Fitzgerald, director of New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

I would say that the system is not working too, at least not since 1963.

[Calpernia]

I hear that.