Rep. Jenny Graham attempted — through an amendment — to refer to the bill as a referendum so the public could vote on it, but it was quickly rejected by the Democratic majority in the House.
Graham attempted — through an amendment — to refer to the bill as a referendum so the public could vote on it, but it was quickly rejected by the Democratic majority in the House.
“In 1975, after the death penalty was repealed, the people decided they were not happy with that,” Graham stated. “So the people fought for the death penalty as self-defense for society. When we’re talking, especially if we’re talking about persistent offenders, leaving dead people in their wake.” The decision to rule the law as unconstitutional was not based on its morality but on how it was applied unequally.
“Its been argued that this disproportionately affected individuals of color, although I will point out that the math for what they’re saying, with the figures that are indisputable, just doesn’t add up,” Graham said. “78 people have been punished with the death penalty from 1904 to 2010. Their races were Caucasian, 66, Black, 7, Asian, 2, Hispanic, 1, Eskimo, 1.
Before the state Supreme Court struck down the death penalty, Governor Inslee issued a moratorium in 2014 on executions. The last execution carried out in Washington was in 2010, when Cal Coburn Brown was executed by lethal injection in Walla Walla after he confessed to the 1991 murder of 22-year-old Holly Washa.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nashville Council reinstates exiled Tennessee lawmakerOusted Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones is headed back to the statehouse. The Nashville Metro Council just overwhelmingly voted to reinstall him after the GOP supermajority kicked him out last week for participating in a gun reform protest.
Read more »
Two arrested after fentanyl death of Texas student as bill works through legislatureAt least two people were taken into custody after a Texas high school student died as a result of fentanyl 'poisoning.' The student, a Williamson County native and Georgetown high school student, died in January.
Read more »
Two expelled Democratic Tennessee lawmakers seek reappointments to state legislatureTennessee's Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who were ousted last week from the Republican-led Tennessee House for joining a protest on the House floor demanding stricter gun control, are seeking reinstatement.
Read more »
As Colorado legislature’s focus turns to zoning reform, Democrats press tenant billsSince January, Colorado Democrats have advanced a slew of pro-tenant bills amid a legislative session that one lawmaker called “the year of housing.” Despite concerns from some that two…
Read more »
California’s reparations task force could face uphill battle in legislatureBy July 1, CA’s Reparations Task Force is set to deliver final recommendations to the Legislature for how the state can begin to undo 300 years of harm from slavery and racism.
Read more »