We have a golden opportunity to abolish the death penalty in Nebraska during this legislative session. Last week the Judiciary Committee forwarded LB 1063 to the full legislature for debate. LB proposes to abolish the death penalty and establishes the penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The following day the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that Nebraska's only method of enforcing the death penalty, the electric chair, violates the State Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. It is unlikely that legislation could be developed at this point that would effectively create a Constitutionally acceptable method of execution. There is likely to be a lot of activity and debate in the legislature this week. Please contact your state senator and encourage him or her to support LB 1063.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a person of faith, I urge you to support LB 1063, which would abolish the death penalty and establish the punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole adequately protects society and ensures that no innocent person will be put to death.

Because the United State Supreme Court has ruled that people who are sentenced to death must be afforded substantial opportunities to challenge their death sentences, the death penalty is more expensive to enforce than is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 10, 2008