LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska death penalty opponents are airing a new television ad in their campaign to keep capital punishment off the books.
The group Retain a Just Nebraska unveiled the 30-second television spot on Monday.
The ad features Republican state Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln, a leading death penalty opponent. Coash argues in the ad that the state resources spent on capital punishment should be put toward other uses, such as crime victims, roads and schools.
The ad notes that Nebraska hasn't executed a prisoner since 1997.
Lawmakers abolished the death penalty in May 2015 over Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto. Capital punishment supporters launched a petition drive that prevented the law from going into effect until voters decide whether to overturn the Legislature's repeal vote in the November election.
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