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As Senate Takes Up Death Penalty, Committee Vote Could Be Key

NHPR Staff

Senate lawmakers are set to take up a bill this week that would repeal the state’s death penalty.

The Senate’s Judiciary committee last week voted in favor of recommending the bill for passage, which NHPR’s Josh Rogers says could prove key to the measure’s ultimate fate.

“Because the bill is emerging from committee with a 3-2 majority and an-ought-to-pass recommendation, that means the first vote when it hits the floor will be for its passage. If that vote fails, and it very well could, the bill would then be open to amendment.”

New Hampshire hasn’t executed anyone since 1939.

Michael Addison is the state’s lone death row inmate. He was sentenced to death for the 2006 murder of Manchester police officer Michael Briggs.

This week’s Senate vote is seen as the last major hurdle for the proposal.

The House has already passed the bill and Governor Maggie Hassan says she will sign it into law as long as it does not affect Addison’s sentence.

I cover campaigns, elections, and government for NHPR. Stories that attract me often explore New Hampshire’s highly participatory political culture. I am interested in how ideologies – doctrinal and applied – shape our politics. I like to learn how voters make their decisions and explore how candidates and campaigns work to persuade them.
Michael serves as NHPR's Program Director. Michael came to NHPR in 2012, working as the station's newscast producer/reporter. In 2015, he took on the role of Morning Edition producer. Michael worked for eight years at The Telegraph of Nashua, covering education and working as the metro editor.
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