More than 1/2 of Michigan voters say they'd support...

More than 1/2 of Michigan voters say they'd support changing the state constitution to allow the death penalty for people convicted of 1st degree murder. But the poll of 600 likely voters taken Feb. 22-25 by Lansing-based EPIC/MRA also shows voters are less likely to support the death penalty if they know state law already guarantees that a person convicted of 1st degree murder gets a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. When first asked if they'd support the death penalty for those convicted of 1st degree murder, 56 % said yes, while 34 percent said no and 10 % were undecided. However, the number of those supporting the death penalty dropped to 45 % if told state law guarantees no one convicted of 1st degree murder can ever get out of prison. 44 % preferred a sentence of life behind bars, while 11 % were undecided. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4% points. House and Senate leaders have said they don't think either chamber has the 2/3 vote needed to get the constitutional amendment before voters on Nov. 2. Michigan in 1846 became the 1st government in the English-speaking world to abolish capital punishment. It's among 12 states that don't have a death penalty. The death penalty measure is House Joint Resolution W.