The Senate voted 21-17 to ban capital punishment in the commonwealth.
The measure was introduced by Sen. Scott Surovel and drew praise from Gov. Ralph Northam, who called the vote “a tremendous step toward ending the death penalty.”
Northam pointed out in a press release that Virginia has executed more people than any other state.
“The practice is funndamentally inequitable. It is inhumane,” the governor said. “It is ineffective. And we know that in some cases, people on death row have been found innocent.”
If the General Assembly passes the bill and the governor passes it, Virginia would become the 23rd state to abolish the death penalty.
The companion bill before the House is sponsored by Delegate Mike Mullin. That bill was voted out o committee and will go before the whole House now.
