Connecticut Abolishes The Death Penalty For Future Crimes

This afternoon, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy (D-CT) signed a bill that prevents anyone new from being added to Connecticut’s death row — henceforth, the stiffest sentence in that state will be life without the possibility of parole. The bill does not, however, change the sentences of the eleven men who are currently on Connecticut’s death row. Moreover, unlike most states, the governor of Connecticut does not have the authority to commute these men’s sentences to life in prison.