NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE VOTES TO REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY!!!!

The New Mexico Senate voted this after in favor of HB 285, which had cleared the House earlier this session by a healthy margin. The final vote was 24-18, largely along party lines. Prior to this year, all such bills failed to even get a floor vote in the Senate.

Gov. Richardson issued a statement indicating he continues to visit the issue, but has not stated whether he will sign the bill.

Either way, this is a huge step forward from where we were just a few years ago when we argued Young before the New Mexico Supreme Court. Thanks to everyone at the NM Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty and the countless attorneys, support staff and citizens which have worked so hard to see this day. And thank you to the following Senators who voted in favor of this bill, your humanity will be remembered: Eric Griego, Tim Eichenberg, Timothy Keller, Sander Rue, Howie Morales, Gerald Ortiz y Pino, Stephen Fishmann, Peter Wirth, John Pinto, Phil Griego, Dede Feldman, Pete Campos, Linda Lopez, David Ulibarri, John Sapien, Michael Sanchez, Bernadette Sanchez, Cynthia Nava, Mary Kay Papen, Carlos Cisneros, Mary Jane Garcia, Lynda Lovejoy, George Munoz, and Cisco McSorley.

Every once in a while this place makes you damn proud.