Colorado Rep. Ed Vigil credited the influence of Denver Archbishop
Charles Chaput in coming to his decision to break a 32-32 House of
Representatives tie by voting to end the death penalty.
The Durango Herald reports that Rep. Paul Weissmann knew the vote would be close when he brought up his House Bill 1274, which ends Colorado's death penalty and devotes the financial savings to investigating unsolved murders.
Debate lasted only a few minutes Tuesday, apparently because all of the 65 representatives had made up their minds. except freshman Democrat Ed Vigil who sat still as the House's electronic board tallied the vote - a 32-32 tie.
Vigil, a former district attorney's investigator, thinks the death penalty is a useful tool, the Herald says.
But he also was thinking about moral appeals he had heard, including from Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput.
Vigil bit his lip and ran a hand back through his hair. Other House members stood up and looked his way as a silent minute dragged by. At last, he reached across the desk and pushed the green button for "yes."
The death penalty repeal passed 33-32.
The bill now goes to the Senate. Weissmann thinks it will be another close vote, but he hasn't polled senators on whether they support it because "I don't like to jinx myself."
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House votes to repeal death penalty (Durango Herald)