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South Dakota Lawmakers Weigh Repeal Of Death Penalty

Associated Press0

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Two former state attorneys general and an ex-judge are among those who plan to encourage South Dakota lawmakers to repeal the state’s death penalty.

The Senate State Affairs Committee in Pierre will take testimony Wednesday morning on legislation that would replace capital punishment with a life prison sentence without the possibility of parole.

The main sponsors of the bipartisan bill are Democratic Sen. Bernie Hunhoff, of Yankton, and Republican Rep. Steve Hickey, of Sioux Falls, who’s also a pastor.

Among those who plan to testify: former Republican Attorneys General Mark Meierhenry and Roger Tellinghuisen, and Republican Sen. Arthur Rusch, of Vermillion, a former judge.

Charles Russell Rhines, Briley Piper and Rodney Berget are currently on the state’s death row.

Last year’s Legislature rejected an effort to repeal the death penalty.

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