Bill would abolish death penalty in Nebraska

LINCOLN – Nebraska would become the 18th state in the United States to abolish the death penalty under a bill introduced by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha.

The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee heard testimony March 13 on LB 543. The bill would get rid of the death penalty in the state and replace it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Nebraska has executed three people since 1976 when the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the resumption of executions after a two-year moratorium. There are currently 11 inmates on death row in the state.

In his remarks before the committee,...