11-23-2011, 10:45 AM
bleeding heart hippie freak.
(CNN) -- Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber blocked the execution of a death row inmate on Tuesday and said no more executions will take place in the state as long as he is governor.
He issued a temporary reprieve in the case of Gary Haugen, who was reportedly scheduled to be put to death next month.
"It is time for Oregon to consider a different approach. I refuse to be a part of this compromised and inequitable system any longer; and I will not allow further executions while I am governor," he said in a statement.
Oregon has 37 inmates on death row, some of whom have been there for more than 20 years. Kitzhaber did not commute their sentences, he said, because: "The policy of this state on capital punishment is not mine alone to decide." He urged lawmakers to bring potential reforms before the 2013 legislative session.
(CNN) -- Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber blocked the execution of a death row inmate on Tuesday and said no more executions will take place in the state as long as he is governor.
He issued a temporary reprieve in the case of Gary Haugen, who was reportedly scheduled to be put to death next month.
"It is time for Oregon to consider a different approach. I refuse to be a part of this compromised and inequitable system any longer; and I will not allow further executions while I am governor," he said in a statement.
Oregon has 37 inmates on death row, some of whom have been there for more than 20 years. Kitzhaber did not commute their sentences, he said, because: "The policy of this state on capital punishment is not mine alone to decide." He urged lawmakers to bring potential reforms before the 2013 legislative session.