Governor Vetoes Bill to Abolish Death Penalty

Governor Jodi Rell has vetoed legislation that would have abolished the death penalty. The governor says the state cannot tolerate people who commit the most violent of murders.

Supporters in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly do not have the necessary two-thirds majority of votes to override her veto. HB 6578, which would have replaced capital punishment with life in prison, passed 19-17 in the Senate and 90-56 in the House last month.

Connecticut has 10 death row inmates. It has executed one inmate since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to reinstate capital punishment in 1976.

House Votes to Abolish the Death Penalty

The Connecticut State House has voted to abolish the death penalty. After a five-hour-long debate the House voted 90-56 to punish capital crimes with life sentences without the possibility of release.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where its chances for passage are considered questionable. If the Senate passes the bill, it is not likely to become law because Governor Jodi Rell continues to support capital punishment. The governor reiterated her position earlier this week. The winning margin in the House fell short of the 101 votes that would be needed to override a Rell veto.