Attorney General Doug Peterson says he’ll seek a court order to resolve whether the state can carry out the sentences of Nebraska’s 10 death row inmates.
A news release from Peterson’s office says he believes part of the bill that abolished the death penalty is unconstitutional. According to Peterson, it says the Legislature intends to change the death sentences to life in prison for inmates who have been sentenced to death but the execution not carried out before the law takes effect.
Peterson says the Nebraska Board of Pardons has that power under the state Constitution to change sentences, not the Legislature.
Lawmakers voted 30-19 to override Governor Pete Ricketts’ veto and abolish capital punishment in Nebraska.