Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Supported by

Lawmakers Want To End Nevada’s Little-Used Death Penalty

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Two Nevada Democrats are proposing to end the state's little-used death penalty.

Assemblyman James Ohrenschall and state Sen. Tick Segerblom have requested a bill that would end capital punishment, meaning life without the possibility of parole would be the state's strongest punishment. The bill could come up for discussion when lawmakers reconvene in the spring.

Segerblom said the death penalty and the appeal process that comes with it is too expensive.

Sponsor Message

Nevada has 81 people on death row but hasn't executed anyone since 2006.

The state recently spent about $900,000 creating a new execution chamber in rural Ely, but is still unable to carry out the penalty because it can't find a company willing to supply execution drugs.