What to Know
- Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he'll introduce legislation that would remove the death penalty from New York state law
- Cuomo says his proposal is being made in solidarity with the pope and in honor of his late father who was a staunch death penalty opponent
- New York's death penalty was reinstated in 1995 while Republican George Pataki was governor; The state hasn't executed a prisoner since 1963
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he'll introduce legislation that would remove the death penalty from New York state law.
The Democrat made the announcement Thursday after the Vatican said Pope Francis decreed the death penalty is "inadmissible" under all circumstances.
Cuomo says his proposal is being made in solidarity with the pope and in honor of his late father, Mario Cuomo, a staunch death penalty opponent during his three terms as New York governor from 1983 to 1994.
The elder Cuomo vetoed legislation reinstating the death penalty 12 times in 12 years.
"Pope Francis's decision is a validation of my father's principled stand against the death penalty in the face of overwhelming support for capital punishment. My father staked his political career on his opposition to the death penalty and never backed down, saying it 'demeans those who strive to preserve human life and dignity,'" Cuomo said in a statement.
New York's death penalty was reinstated in 1995 while Republican George Pataki was governor. The state's highest court ruled it unconstitutional in 2004. The state hasn't executed a prisoner since 1963.
