Governor Northam will introduce a bill to abolish the death penalty in Virginia. With Democrats in control of both houses of the General Assembly, it is likely to pass, making Virginia the first southern state to outlaw the death penalty.
From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
“I understand about timing and I suspect this is the year to end the death penalty in Virginia,” Northam told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Tuesday.
I’ve felt strongly about this for a long time,” the governor said. “We’ve been doing so much good work on equity, especially criminal justice reform, and we have the majority in the House and the Senate.”
More details at the above link.