Death Penalty Repeal Bill Inches Ahead in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has not executed anyone since 1939, before World War II even began, but the death penalty is at the nucleus of the political debate today at the Statehouse.

For Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, the subject has been timeless since 1988, when his father was murdered. He knows the pain. He feels it, still. And still he soldiers on with twin hats on: a murder victims' advocate, and a man focused on abolishing the death penalty in New Hampshire.

Cushing is the prime sponsor of the death penalty repeal bill, which goes before a Senate Judiciary public hearing Thursday morning at 9 at Representatives Hall. Telling of his journey, perhaps, is the bipartisan support behind the legislation. The House in February passed the bill by a vote of 225 to 104, which Cushing, in his modest mien, called a good sign.

"It's a signal that change is in the air," he said in an interview Wednesday.

The Senate vote will not be so overwhelming. 

Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, said on NHPR's The Exchange that he anticipated a close vote, possibly 13-11.

Cushing has reached out to each senator, one-on-one, to discuss the proposed repeal and answer any questions. He knows this legislative road. Almost 15 years ago, a bill to repeal the death penalty passed both the House and Senate, but was vetoed by the governor.

Will this year be different? 

Barbara Keshen, a former prosecutor who serves as chairwoman of the New Hampshire Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, will be among those speaking in support of the bill Thursday. 

Other speakers expected include UNH School of Law Dean John T. Broderick, a former chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court; former New Hampshire Attorneys General Philip McLaughlin and Greg Smith; and Bud Welch, a member of the Murder Victims Families for Human Rights whose daughter was a victim of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Sponsors of the death penalty repeal bill include Rep. John Cebrowski, R-Bedford, Rep. Robert Rowe, R-Amherst, Rep. Mary Jane Wallner, D-Concord, and Sen. Bette Lasky, D-Nashua.