Repeal of Virginia’s death penalty headed to governor’s desk

RICHMOND, Va. – State lawmakers gave final approval Monday to legislation that will end capital punishment in Virginia, a dramatic turnaround for a state that has executed more people in its history than any other. The legislation repealing the death penalty heads to Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, who has said he will sign it into law, making Virginia the 23rd state to stop executions. Virginia’s Democratic majority argued that the death penalty has been applied disproportionately to people of color, the mentally ill and the indigent.