May 13, 2009 Conn. House passes bill to abolish death penalty

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Connecticut House of Representatives has passed a bill that replaces the state's death penalty with a life sentence without the chance of parole.

It marks the first time that any chamber of the General Assembly has voted to abolish capital punishment. The bipartisan vote was 90 to 56.

But it's questionable that the bill could pass the Senate. Also, Gov. M. Jodi Rell says she supports the death penalty for especially heinous crimes.

The bill would affect those who commit certain capital felony murders, such as killing a police officer. It would apply only to crimes committed after the bill becomes law and would not impact those already on death row.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)