Death penalty repeal heads to Wyoming House floor

A proposed measure to end the death penalty in Wyoming has won the endorsement of a legislative committee.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports House Bill 145 advanced out of the House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee on a 5-4 vote Wednesday. It goes to the full House for more debate.

Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Jared Olsen, of Cheyenne, argued for repeal in testimony to the committee.

Olsen says repealing the death penalty would save local and state government money by not having to hire staff attorneys and other experts for potential death penalty cases and other expenses.

In addition, he voiced concern about government having the power of life and death over its citizens.

Several attempts to repeal the death penalty in previous years have failed in the Legislature.