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Nebraska abolishes death penalty

Nebraska will now be the 19th state in the U.S. without the death penalty.

Lawmakers voted this afternoon 30-19 to override Governor Pete Ricketts’ veto of the bill to abolish the death penalty. The vote came after more than two hours of debate in the Unicameral.

Supporters of abolishing the death penalty argued that it's ineffective and expensive. Some supporters say the death penalty doesn’t fit with their pro-life beliefs.

Lawmakers supporting the Governor’s veto said the death penalty is needed for the most severe crimes.

Nebraska last executed a death row inmate in 1997.