New Mexico's Governor Wants To Reinstate Death Penalty
The governor of New Mexico is pushing to reinstate the death penalty after a series of high-profile crimes this year.
Gov. Susana Martinez wants to discuss the issue in an upcoming special session, which she originally called to address the state's budget shortfall. This year two underage girls were brutally raped and murdered in different parts of the state and two police officers were killed while on duty. Martinez wants the death penalty to apply to these types of crimes.
"Do those people who are charged deserve the ultimate penalty, which is the death penalty? I say yes, they do," she told an Albuquerque TV news station.
A poll of 1,000 New Mexicans funded by a local news group showed 59 percent supported the governor. Critics say reinstating the death penalty would further burden the state's budget crisis.
New Mexico is one of 30 states that no longer applies capital punishment.
