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Nebraska death penalty foes: Life in prison means no parole

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Death penalty opponents say the 10 men who were awaiting executions before lawmakers repealed the punishment last year will still spend the rest of their lives in prison.

A Democratic and Republican state senator and a retired judge spoke at the Capitol on Wednesday as part a campaign urging voters not to reinstate capital punishment. The Retain a Just Nebraska group will ramp up its efforts next month with cable and radio ads.

Republican Sen. Colby Coash says the group wants to make clear to voters that the 10 inmates will remain ineligible for parole. Democratic state Sen. Adam Morfeld says the only way they could qualify is if the state's pardons board commuted their sentences.

The board is comprised of the governor, attorney general and secretary of state.

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