A bill to abolish the death penalty has been filed by Del. The push is backed by Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, along with some powerful voices: loved ones of murder victims. Thirteen family members sent a letter to the General Assembly in November asking lawmakers to abolish the death penalty. Carter said the new Democratic majority gives death penalty opponents “the best chance we’ve had in a very long time,” but he acknowledges that entrenched attitudes toward the death penalty in Virginia could make abolishing it difficult. Even with the slim majority Democrats hold in both the Senate and House of Delegates, the push to abolish the death penalty could have an uphill battle.

Source: thestar December 31, 2019 15:45 UTC