Virginia becomes first southern US state to abolish death penalty

Virginia became the first southern US state to abolish the death penalty after Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation on March 24, Report informs referring to DW.

Virginia has carried out nearly 1,400 executions - more than any other US state - since its founding as a British colony in 1608.

The state also conducted the second-most executions after Texas since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976.

Virginia last executed a prisoner in 2017. Two men remain on the state's death row and will have their sentences commuted to life in prison without parole.

Virginia joined 22 other states that have outlawed the death penalty, while three others - California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania - have a moratorium on its use.