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Controversial Utah Measure Fails

By standdown

The measure to limit death penalty appeals, criticized by the state's judiciary and editorial boards, had been put forth by Utah's attorney general."Death penalty appeals amendment fails in Utah House," is today's Salt Lake Tribune's report by Sheena Mcfarland. A visibly upset Attorney General Mark Shurtleff left the House Thursday morning after representatives shot down a constitutional amendment that would streamline the post-conviction death penalty appeals process. "This is a travesty. It's a huge blow to the victims," said Shurtleff, who was surprised at the outcome after having commitments from enough lawmakers to get the two-thirds majority needed to pass the bill. "I was sitting next to the parents of [murdered] Maureen Hunsaker, and they wonder if they will live long enough to see justice...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on March 13, 2009 (boomark / email).