repeal of the death penalty

Gov. Bill Richardson has some words for Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White: Don’t politicize the repeal of the death penalty.
“We don’t do legislation in New Mexico by referendum,” Richardson, a Democrat, said during a mid-day news conference at the Capitol today. “The New Mexico public wants us to repeal the death penalty.”
White, a Republican, has [...]

Could there be a last-ditch, surprise plan for the state to purchase the College of Santa Fe? Not yet, but the state is not giving up on figuring out how to help out the state’s financially shakiest institution of higher learning, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

This evening Gov. Bill Richardson signed his name to a law that abolishes the death penalty in New Mexico, saying “This has been the most difficult decision of my political career.”

The governor’s office said a few minutes ago that Gov. Bill Richardson will hold a 6 p.m. press conference at the Capitol to say whether he signed or vetoed legislation to repeal the death penalty.
There was no word on how he had decided.

Gov. Bill Richardson has received more than 9,400 calls, e-mails and walk-ins on legislation to repeal the death penalty and replace it with life without parole, his office said Tuesday.
Of 9,413 constituents who voiced their opinion on HB 285, 7,169 were for repeal compared to 2,244 against, a news release from the governor’s office said.

OK, it’s official. New Mexicans are weighing in in droves on the repeal of the death penalty.
Gov. Bill Richardson by late Monday had received more than 6,000 e-mails and phone calls from people who gave their opinion on the matter.

If the Senate passes the repeal, it goes straight to Gov. Bill Richardson’s desk for his signature.
It is unclear whether supporters have the votes to push the repeal through the Senate. It’s that close, supporters say. Meanwhile, Richardson said earlier this week that he has not made up his mind whether he will sign [...]