Bills that would have abolished or suspended the death...

Bills that would have abolished or suspended the death penalty in Virginia were killed by the House Courts of Justice Committee. A bill sponsored by Del. Frank D. Hargrove Sr.,(former supporter of the death penalty who proposed bringing back hanging in Virginia) R-Hanover, to abolish the death penalty was passed by indefinitely in a 22-0 vote. Another bill, sponsored by Del. James F. Almand, D-Arlington, to impose a moratorium on executions died 16-6. Another measure (HB2345) proposed by Almand to give death row inmates unlimited time to introduce new evidence of their innocence also failed to win the committee's approval. The 11-11 vote on that measure fell along party lines. Virginia's next execution is scheduled for March 1.