Washington State Suspends Death Penalty

Gov. Jay Inslee today brought the use of the death penalty to a screeching halt in Washington state, declaring a moratorium on a system he says has "too many flaws" and pushing his state to "join a growing national conversation" about capital punishment. "There is too much at stake to accept an imperfect system," said the Democrat, adding that "I'm not convinced equal justice is being served," reports KVEW-TV. But far from being a get-out-of-death-row-free card for inmates, the AP notes that Inslee will issue a reprieve—rather than a pardon or commutation of the sentence. "Nobody is getting out of prison, period," Inslee said. Nine men currently sit on death row in Walla Walla; a stay of execution for one was expected to be lifted this month. (More death penalty stories.)