Breaking: NM Legislature Passes Bill To Abolish Death Penalty

cross posted from dailyKos

Long story short, the NM legislature has passed the bill abolishing capital punishment in New Mexico and has sent it on to the governor for signature.

This happened about 15 minutes ago. Here's a first link to prove it's so.

Governor Richardson hasn't announced his decision on whether to sign it.

Now you can open that bottle of champagne and offer a toast to New Mexico and to the abolitionists who worked so hard and well to bring about this wonderful victory.

Bravo!!

The Las Cruces Sun-News tells the story:

The New Mexico Legislature has voted to repeal the death penalty and replace it with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The state Senate voted 24-18 on Friday for the repeal bill, sending it to Gov. Bill Richardson for his signature.

The House approved the legislation a month ago.

Richardson, a second-term Democrat, has opposed repeal in the past but now says he would consider signing it.

"I haven't made a final decision," the governor said this week.

According to the Sun-News, New Mexico has two men on death row whose sentences would not be affected by repeal.

What wonderful news!!!