My fellow Examiner from New Mexico, Kent McManigal, the Albuquerque Libertarian Examiner, reported that the New Mexico legislature has banned the death penalty. There is a national trend now developing opposing the death penalty. I applaud the New Mexico legislature and one of my favorite Democrats, Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM). It was decision that Governor Richardson acknowledged was a personal struggle.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Bill Richardson, who has supported capital punishment, signed legislation to repeal New Mexico's death penalty, calling it the "most difficult decision in my political life."

The new law replaces lethal injection with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The repeal takes effect on July 1, and applies only to crimes committed after that date.

"Regardless of my personal opinion about the death penalty, I do not have confidence in the criminal justice system as it currently operates to be the final arbiter when it comes to who lives and who dies for their crime," Richardson said.

I can only hope that more of our Governors, Republicans and Democrats will see the light and do the right thing: abolish the death penalty. Chicago City Hall Examiner.