OLYMPIA, Wash., Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A moratorium on the death penalty in Washington state was announced Tuesday by Gov. Jay Inslee, citing the inconsistent use of capital punishment.
Inslee, a Democrat, said it is time for a conversation about ensuring equal justice under the law.
"In death penalty cases, I'm not convinced equal justice is being served. The use of the death penalty in this state is unequally applied, [and] sometimes dependent on the budget of the county where the crime occurred."
The moratorium means Inslee will issue a reprieve of any death penalty case that comes to the governor's desk for action. It does not issue any pardons or commute the sentences of anyone on death row, a statement Tuesday from the governor's office said.
