Death penalty abolition goes into effect

IN NEW MEXICO THIS MORNING, AS A BILL TO REPEAL CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OFFICIALLY TAKES EFFECT....  More »

IN NEW MEXICO THIS MORNING, AS A BILL TO REPEAL CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OFFICIALLY TAKES EFFECT. KAYLA ANDERSON JOINS US NOW WITH THE DETAILS IN THIS MORNING'S TOP STORY. KAYLA? MARLA....A LITTLE OVER THREE MONTHS AGO, GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON SIGNED A BILL ENDING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN NEW MEXICO. NOW THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE A CONVICTED CRIMINAL CAN GET IS LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER EXECUTION IN THE STATE. TWO MEN...TIMOTHY ALLEN OF BLOOMFIELD AND ROBERT FRY OF FARMINGTON...WERE SENTENCED TO DEATH ROW BEFORE THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL. BOTH MEN HAVE APPEALED THEIR SENTENCE, BUT THEIR CASES ARE TIED UP IN COURT. THE BILL ALSO DOESN'T APPLY TO CRIMES COMMITTED BEFORE TODAY THE LAST PERSON EXECUTED IN NEW MEXICO WAS TERRY CLARK -- IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. NEW MEXICO BECOMES THE 15TH STATE TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY. GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON HAS RECEIVED WORLD- WIDE ATTENTION FOR  « Less