The heated death penalty debate is gathering more steam. This time its from those who support the repeal.
A state-wide coalition called Nebraskans for Public Safety forms to show others that there is public support for the repeal.
The group looking to put capitol punishment to a vote, Nebraskans for the Death Penalty, is already gathering signatures before their August 27th deadline. On May 27th, Nebraska lawmakers voted to override the governor's veto.
But the newly formed Nebraskans for Public Safety is an effort by people and groups including the ACLU, Nebraska Innocence Project, faith and conservative leaders.
"It was a bipartisan decision it really was. I think there was a lot of misinformation out there that Nebraskans weren't being represented and this isn't what they really want," said Bryan Bumgart, the former chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party.
They want to educate people about the state's broken system. And they're recruiting volunteers on their website to make sure people on the other side are property collecting petition signatures.
The group also includes retired Sarpy County District Court Judge Ronald Reagan, who was on the panel that sentenced John Joubert to death. He says in his experience capital punishment was never a deterrent.
"Whether they're predisposed to commit murder or some heat of the passion moment they have absolutely no thought that they'll be either appreheneded or punished," Hon. Regean explained.
Nebraskans for the Death Penalty will need more than 56,000 signatures to get the issue on the november 2016 ballot.
Source: scrippsmedia.com, June 13, 2015
