a resolution to study whether the death penalty is administered fairly in Georgia...

a resolution to study whether the death penalty is administered fairly in Georgia narrowly cleared the Senate Judiciary committee on a 5-4 vote. The bill would create the Georgia Capital Punishment Study Commission to study all aspects of the death penalty, including whether it is used in a discriminatory way based on race, economic status or where the defendant lives in the state. An American Bar Association report recommended a freeze on the state's use of the death penalty until flaws in its use are addressed. The report said Georgia is the only state that fails to provide legal counsel to poor people once they are sentenced to death and the only state that requires defendants to prove mental retardation beyond reasonable doubt - the law's highest standard.
The study commission bill was 1 of 2 on the subject sponsored by Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta. The other, which called for use of the death penalty to be halted until the commission studies it, was not considered by the Senate committee.
Last week, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a longtime advocate on mental health issues, endorsed the moratorium plan.
The bill must pass the full Senate by Monday, which is currently scheduled to be the unofficial deadline for legislation to pass in at least 1 chamber or be declared dead.