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January 24, 2021 The state of Virginia is preparing to abolish the death penalty.

The Washington Post reports it, recalling that since the first execution in 1608, Virginia is the state that has counted more death sentences, as many as 113, in the last 400 years.



"Former Confederate capital would become first Southern state to abolish capital punishment" after Democrats took control of the Richmond government last year for the first time in decades, "and a ban in Virginia could trigger a change throughout the South "writes the US daily.

So the fact that the Dems now control both executive and legislative powers may pave the way for a breakthrough. 



Last year 17 executions were carried out in the US states, the minimum in 37 years, while the federal government carried out 13, resuming them on Trump's orders after a 17-year hiatus.

The Washington Post also recalls how 173 wrongful death sentences have been ascertained with the DNA technique from 1973 to today. 



"I think the prospects for ending the death penalty in 2021 are excellent," said attorney Michael Mullin, who supports a bill in this direction.

Proposal for now stopped in a sub-committee in the Chamber.

But a version sponsored by Senator Scott Surovell has already gotten a green light from a senatorial commission and is expected to receive another soon, before making it to court.

If the measure were also approved by House, Governor Ralph Northam said he was ready to sign it. 



In May 2019, New Hampshire was the twenty-first US state to abolish the death penalty.

In fact, the Senate voted against the veto placed by the Republican governor Chris Sununu.