Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> Sentencing Law and Policy

Criminal Law

: Sentencing Law and Policy

Charting the uncertain future for death row inmates left behind after New Mexico repeal

By Douglas A. Berman

This interesting local article from New Mexico, which is headlined "Uncertain Fates: NM?s next governor could commute death sentences," discusses the uncertainty that surrounds the fate of the two condemned murderers that were left on death row even after New Mexico repealed its death penalty earlier this year. Here is how it starts: And you thought capital punishment was dead. Although the New Mexico Legislature voted to repeal the death penalty in March, the new law doesn?t impact the two men currently on death row or any others who could be sentenced to death for crimes committed before July 2009. Gov. Bill Richardson told reporters at the bill signing that he wouldn?t use his pardon power to commute the remaining sentences, and so death-penalty opponents looked to the New Mexico Supreme Court for relief...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on September 23, 2009 (boomark / email).