Conn. on track to be 17th state sans death penalty

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut is on track to become the fifth state in five years to abolish the death penalty amid what supporters say is a growing national sentiment against executing prisoners.

The state Senate approved a repeal bill 20-16 early Thursday. It now goes to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers say the legislation has strong support.

Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has said he will sign it into law.

Connecticut would become the 17th state without a death penalty. In the last five years, New Mexico, Illinois, New Jersey and New York have ditched their death penalties.

Officials with the Death Penalty Information Center say opposition to the death penalty has increased because DNA testing has exposed mistaken convictions and it's becoming more expensive for states to pursue the cases.