Connecticut repeals death penalty

May 20, 2013

Posted: Wed 3:54 PM, Apr 25, 2012

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Connecticut repeals death penalty

FILE - This November 2005 file photo shows the death chamber at the Southern Ohio Corrections Facility in Lucasville, Ohio. The sole U.S. manufacturer of a key lethal injection drug said Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 that it is ending production because of death-penalty opposition overseas _ a move that could delay executions across the United States. The current shortage of the drug in the U.S. has delayed or disrupted executions in Arizona, California, Kentucky, Ohio and Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has signed legislation into law that abolishes Connecticut's death penalty for future crimes.

A spokeswoman said the Democrat signed the bill Wednesday afternoon at a private ceremony with lawmakers, clergy and family members of victims.

Malloy called it "an historic moment" as Connecticut joins 16 other states that have abolished capital punishment. He said it was a moment "for sober reflection, not celebration."

The bill was signed the same day that a new Quinnipiac University poll showed 62 percent of Connecticut voters support the death penalty. The same survey found 47 percent of voters disapprove of Malloy's handling of the issue, while 33 percent approve.

A former prosecutor, Malloy said his position on the death penalty has evolved over the years.

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