CNADP

Statement from CNADP:

Today with Governor Dannel Malloy’s signature of SB 280, Connecticut became the fifth state in five years to end the death penalty. Connecticut’s move is part of a growing trend across the country, as more states continue to repeal the death penalty and death sentences and executions decline nationwide.

During Connecticut’s debate on capital punishment, what clearly emerged was frustration with the state’s death penalty and agreement that the current system is broken. After conscientious review of the state’s death penalty, a bi-partisan majority of Connecticut legislators came to a conclusion that more legal experts, law enforcement officials, and murder victims’ families across the country are reaching: the only way to fix the death penalty is to end it.

Replacing the death penlaty with life in prison without release is a prudent step that will avoid the risk of executing the innocent, save the state millions of dollars, and put an end to lengthy capital cases that prove harmful to murder victims’ family members.

It is fitting that Connecticut will be first the state to repeal the death penalty since the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia last September, which raised doubts about capital punishment across the country. The NAACP and communities of color were leading voices both in calling for a stop to Davis’ execution and for repeal of Connecticut’s death penalty.

Davis’ execution highlighted the role that race continues to play in America’s death penalty, as Georgia executed a black man despite strong doubts concerning his guilt. Racial bias plagues Connecticut’s death penalty, too, as prosecutors are more likely to seek the death penalty when the victim is white than if the victim is a minority. Despite promises of reform, racial bias in the application ofcapital punishment stubbornly persists.

We deeply thank the Govenor and the Connecticut General Assembly for taking serious the problems inflicted by the death penalty and for taking action to end it. We are proud that our state has repealed the death penalty, and are confident that more states around the country will do the same.

On April 11, 2012, the House of Representatives passed the repeal bill 86-62, receiving bi-partisan support. To all the CNADP members and volunteers – some of whom have been advocating repeal for decades – THANK YOU. Because of your tireless efforts, the dream of repeal has become a reality in CT.

Here is some of the news coverage:
NY Times
Hartford Courant, featuring Sr Mary Healy
NBC Connecticut
Hartford Courant photo gallery
WTNH Channel 8
FoxCT (video)

After the victory in the Senate last week, community leaders, law enforcemnt, and family members of murder victims joined together in continuing the loud and growing call for repeal.

On April 10, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., and Police Chief Dean Esserman joined mother of a murder victim Victoria Coward in calling for repeal at the New Haven City Hall. Read about it here.

On April 11, a large group of leaders and repeal supporters gathered at the State Capitol before the House vote to urge our Representatives to vote YES on the repeal bill. Those in attendance included religious leaders, family members of murder victims, law enforcement, legislators, and amazing advocates that have been working toward repeal in Connecticut for over 20 years! Read about it here.

Early in the morning of April 5, the Connecticut Senate voted to pass SB 280, the bill to repeal the death penalty, by a margin of 20 to 16. Thank you to all our CNADP members, supporters, and family members of murder victims who stayed in the Senate Gallery until after 2am to show their support! It has been a long day/night/morning, but we are energized for the next step: On to the House!!

Click here to see the tally of how each senator voted.

Help us make sure that the House of Representatives takes us to the finish line-and that Governor Malloy has a bill to sign soon! Send and email to your local Representative using this link.

News coverage: Hartford Courant, CNN

On Thursday, March 29, NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous visited Connecticut to advocate for repeal. He met with legislators and Governor Dannel P. Malloy, calling abolition of the death penalty a priority for the NAACP. Click here to read the Hartford Courant’s coverage of President Jealous’ visit. You can also read the testimony of Connecticut NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile from the Judiciary Committee’s March 14 public hearing on SB 280.

SB 280, the bill to repeal the death penalty, could be considered by the Senate and the House soon. Now is the time to contact your legislators, urging them to vote in favor of SB 280! You can send them an email by clicking here.

On Wednesday, March 21, the Judiciary Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 280, the bill to repeal Connecticut’s death penalty! It could proceed to the Senate and the House in the next few weeks. Click here to contact your legislators, urging them to vote for repeal when SB 280 makes its way to the Senate and the House!