Delaware Supreme Court asked to review death penalty law

(AP) – A Delaware judge is asking the state Supreme Court to determine whether Delaware’s death penalty law meets constitutional muster in light of two recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

In certifying several questions of law to the Supreme Court, Superior Court Judge Paul Wallace noted that there are more than two dozen pending capital murder cases in Delaware.

But two U.S. Supreme Court rulings this month raise questions about Delaware’s death penalty law because it gives judges, not juries, the final say in imposing a death sentence.

While Delaware’s courts consider the issue, the state House is scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to give final legislative approval to a bill abolishing Delaware’s death penalty.

Democratic Gov. Jack Markell has said he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.