New Mexico would abolish the death penalty...

New Mexico would abolish the death penalty and replace it with a life-without-parole sentence under a bill passed by the House. Supporters of the repeal, which passed today on 41-28 vote, have an uphill struggle. The measure goes next to the Senate, where similar legislation died 2 years ago. And Gov. Bill Richardson - who would get the bill if it were to pass the Senate - never has been in favor of doing away with capital punishment. "We have our work cut out for us," said Rep. Gail Chasey, D-Albuquerque, who has sponsored repeal legislation unsuccessfully several times. According to statistics compiled by repeal advocates, there have been 207 death penalty prosecutions in New Mexico since 1979. Of those, 28 death sentences were imposed. 19 of those sentences were overturned; five were commuted by then-Gov. Toney Anaya; 1 prisoner died on death row; 2 are on death row; and Clark was executed. The death penalty repeal is HB190.