Death penalty repeal bill dies in DE house

By a vote of 16 yes and 23 no, Senate Bill 40 which would’ve abolished it in the state, died in the house Thursday evening.

The bill cleared the Senate last year and sat in a house committee until last week. It would’ve abolished the penalty for first degree murder and wouldn’t have applied to current inmates on death row.

Governor Markell reportedly said he would’ve signed the bill if it reached his desk.

While at legislative hall Thursday, we spoke to some for and against the measure.

“We are committed to making sure that the death penalty is repealed. Whether that is today or next year or the year after.” said Rev. Dr. Donald Morton, executive director of complexities of color.

Others such as Joy Hill and her family, who have been fighting for the penalty’s preservation, told 47 ABC, “I feel like it will be a small reprieve but it will not change the fact that us and the citizens of Delaware will have to fight to keep this as law if that’s what they want,”

Reverend Morton tells 47 ABC that the complexities of color coalition will continue to push for the repeal of the death penalty.