Press Release
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING'S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR KAINE'S VETO OF DEATH PENALTY LEGISLATION
Monday, March 26, 2007
RICHMOND - Earlier today, Governor Tim Kaine announced that he had vetoed legislation to expand the death penalty in Virginia. In response to the Governor's announcement, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement:
"I am extremely disappointed in Governor Kaine's decision to veto legislation that would have expanded the death penalty to accomplices of capitol murder by repealing the so called triggerman rule, and to persons who kill witnesses under subpoena in a criminal trial. These bills, approved by bi-partisan majorities in the Senate and House of Delegates, are logical and appropriate extensions of the death penalty to a group of killers whose actions warrant the maximum punishment allowed by law.
"My support for this legislation arose out of conversations I had over the past year with law enforcement officials and Commonwealth's Attorneys who feel that these bills would be an important deterrent to gang related crimes that are increasing at a rapid rate in many parts of our state. Unfortunately, Governor Kaine missed an excellent opportunity to address gang violence and make Virginians safer. It is my hope that the members of the General Assembly will vote to override these vetoes when they return to Richmond on April 4th."
###
For additional information contact Randy Marcus at 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov.
