Coalition formed to oppose death penalty referendum

From the Lincoln Journal-Star:

People and groups from across the state will come together to formally oppose efforts to stop the repeal of Nebraska’s death penalty, the coalition announced Thursday.

Nebraskans for Public Safety is asking Nebraskans to decline to sign a petition that would allow people to vote in 2016 on whether the state should have a death penalty. Depending on how many signatures are collected, the petition also could stop the repeal from being enacted until the vote.

The coalition includes Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, the Nebraska Innocence Project, ACLU of Nebraska, faith leaders, conservative leaders and the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, according to a news release.

Other supporting groups and individuals will be announced during the referendum campaign, said Kevin O’Hanlon, spokesman for Nebraskans for Public Safety.

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