The Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty includes, liberals and conservatives, N.H.’s Catholic and Episcopal bishops, as well as the former Chief Justice of the State’s Superior Court.
It also features State Rep. Renny Cushing, whose father was shot to death in 1988. Cushing has been a key player in past efforts to repeal N.H.’s death penalty law, but thinks this time the chances are good.
“You know last election was pretty interesting, it was the first time we had two candidates for governor, both of whom opposed the death penalty. It’s clear N.H. is not in love with the death penalty.”
Lawmakers voted to repeal the state’s capital punishment law in 2000, but then Governor Jeanne Shaheen vetoed it. A repeal effort in 2009 passed the NH house but failed in the state senate. The only person on NH’s death row is Michael Addison, who was convicted of killing a Manchester Police officer. His case is now on appeal before the State Supreme Court.
