New Jersey Commission Recommends Ending State Death Penalty

The New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission, established in 2006 by the New Jersey Legislature, issued its final report (PDF) on January 2nd.  In its report the commission recommended that the state end the death penalty in New Jersey.  Today's New York Times has an article on the commission's report.

Capital punishment is allowed in the United States.  A key court ruling in the modern history of the death penalty is the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Gregg vs. Georgia (1976).  You can learn more about the death penalty in this module from Justice Learning.