Posted on 05/28/2015 2:19:32 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Nebraska has abolished the death penalty in a landmark veto-override vote backed by a coalition of conservatives who oppose capital punishment.
North Platte Senator Mike Groene stood with 18 others as an advocate to keep the death penalty.
But that just wasn't enough as 30 other senators decided to over ride Governor Pete Ricketts' veto and abolish the death penalty.
He voted to keep the death penalty and uphold the governor's veto.
"I believe in the death penalty in a civil society, we do not tolerate evil," Senator Groene said.
State Senators voted 30-19 on Wednesday to override Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican who supports the death penalty. The vote makes Nebraska the first traditionally conservative state to eliminate the punishment since North Dakota in 1973.
Nebraska joins 18 other states and Washington, D.C., in banning the ultimate punishment.
Some senators say they philosophically support the death penalty but are convinced the state will never carry out another execution because of legal hurdles. Nebraska hasn't executed an inmate since a 1997 electrocution.
The bill was introduced by independent Sen. Ernie Chambers, who has fought for four decades to repeal the death penalty.
Governor Pete Ricketts issued this statement following the vote, “My words cannot express how appalled I am that we have lost a critical tool to protect law enforcement and Nebraska families. While the Legislature has lost touch with the citizens of Nebraska, I will continue to stand with Nebraskans and law enforcement on this important issue.”
The Governor thanks the following state senators that voted to sustain his veto: Senator Dave Bloomfield, Senator Lydia Brasch, Senator Joni Craighead, Senator Curt Friesen, Senator Mike Groene, Senator Dan Hughes, Senator Jerry Johnson, Senator Bill Kintner, Senator John Kuehn, Senator Tyson Larson, Senator Beau McCoy, Senator John Murante, Senator Merv Riepe, Senator Jim Scheer, Senator Ken Schilz, Senator Dave Schnoor, Senator Jim Smith, Senator John Stinner, Senator Dan Watermeier.
The following state senators voted to override Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto and abolish the death penalty: Senator Roy Baker, Senator Kate Bolz, Senator Kathy Campbell, Senator Ernie Chambers, Senator Colby Coash, Senator Tanya Cook, Senator Sue Crawford, Senator Al Davis, Senator Laura Ebke, Senator Tommy Garrett, Senator Mike Gloor, Senator Ken Haar, Senator Galen Hadley, Senator Matt Hansen, Senator Burke Harr, Senator Robert Hilkemann, Senator Sara Howard, Senator Rick Kolowski, Senator Mark Kolterman, Senator Bob Krist, Senator Brett Lindstrom, Senator John McCollister, Senator Heath Mello, Senator Adam Morfeld, Senator Jeremy Nordquist, Senator Patty Pansing Brooks, Senator Paul Schumacher, Senator Les Seiler, Senator Kate Sullivan, Senator Matt Williams.
"Today marks a remarkable and historic victory for our state, said Danielle Conrad, ACLU Executive Director. "We are grateful for the dynamic leadership of policymakers, and we are proud to be part of an incredibly diverse coalition led by faith leaders, fiscal conservatives, and victim’s families. This is a meaningful victory for all Nebraskans.
Senator Beau McCoy of Omaha immediately announced the formation of Nebraskans for Justice. Nebraskans for Justice is an organization that will explore the possibility of a citizen-driven ballot initiative to give Nebraska citizens the option of reinstating Nebraska’s death penalty.
“With the formation of Nebraskans for Justice, I am standing with Nebraskans who are thoroughly disappointed with Nebraska Legislators who voted to end Nebraska’s death penalty,” said Senator McCoy. “Once again, Nebraska’s Legislature has gone against the wishes of an overwhelming number of Nebraskans who believe the death penalty should be in place for those who commit the most heinous crimes.”
Thanks for your response.
It’s clear you did not or else you would not have incorrectly stated “my belief”. Do you have to have the last word?
I knew you’d try to squirm out of that one. But for the record, no, lawful execution isn’t murder, since murder is a legal definition that specifically means extrajudicial (illegal) homicide. Also, the only acceptable answers to the original question were ‘yes’ and ‘no’. You lost by throwing the chess pieces on the floor by trying to play word games once you saw that you were in check.
I see you responded to my post #18 where the warriors found, tried and executed their perpetrators, in quick succession.
Who are you referring to as "creep"? Or is it mission creep of which you refer, which so frequently expands once you give the state execution powers?
Any group of conservatives who limit the power of a government to kill its citizens is performing a major service to the rest of our citizenry.
With your attitude I might assume you to be a Baltimore drug dealer.
Hard to say, he was just reelected.
The death penalty has never been a power granted soley to the government. One must first be found guilty by a jury of one’s peers before it is carried out.
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