2 different bids to bring back the death penalty in New Mexico were tabled in a House committee Tuesday night on party-line votes.
Rep. Dennis Kintigh, R-Roswell, sponsored HB 371 and HJR 7. The joint resolution would have put the question of reinstating the death penalty on the 2012 ballot as a constitutional amendment. The bill would have reinstated the law statutorily.
Both failed on identical 3-2 votes in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.
“No doubt this is a very emotional issue for New Mexico,” Kintigh said in a statement. “I believe the people should have a bigger voice in this decision when it comes to the ultimate punishment for justice."
Gov. Susana Martinez has called for the reinstatement of the death penalty both during the gubernatorial campaign and since being sworn in as governor. She even mentioned the issue as a priority in her state of the state address on the 1st day of the legislative session.
The death penalty was abolished in New Mexico in March of 2009.
Albuquerque Public Safety Director Darren White created a political action committee to attempt to “repeal the repeal” of the death penalty. White advised Martinez on her transition.
Source: New Mexico Independent, March 9, 2011
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