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Biden Has 65 Days Left in Office. Here’s What He Can Do on Criminal Justice.

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Judicial appointments and the death penalty are among areas where a lame-duck administration can still leave a mark. Donald Trump’s second presidential term will begin on Jan. 20, bringing with it promises to dramatically reshape many aspects of the criminal justice system. The U.S. Senate — with its authority over confirming judicial nominees — will also shift from Democratic to Republican control.
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South Dakota lawmakers reject bill to repeal death penalty

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A South Dakota legislative panel has decided the state should keep the death penalty.

After hearing from relatives of 2 murder victims, the House State Affairs Committee voted 7-6 to reject a measure that would have repealed the death penalty.

The measure would have banned the death penalty in future criminal cases, but it sought to leave in place the death sentences of 3 convicted murderers currently on South Dakota's death row. Opponents say the bill's language might have allowed those 3 convicts to avoid being executed.

Supporters of the death penalty argued it is an appropriate penalty for the most vile crimes and deters others from committing murder.

Opponents of the death penalty contend it does not deter others from committing horrible crimes, save money or improve public safety.

Source: Associated Press, Feb. 22, 2014
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