NEVADA – The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has filed an emergency petition against Governor Steve Sisolak’s addition of commuting all Nevada death sentences just a few days before the Pardons Board meeting.

On Wednesday evening, December 14, Gov. Sisolak added a request to commute all death sentences to the schedule of the Pardons Board meeting on Tuesday, December 20. With this, the Nevada Pardons Board is now considering commuting all death sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Washoe County District Attorney has stated his strong opposition to this item, and District Attorney Christopher Hicks has made a statement stating that the Governor’s last-minute proposal violates Nevada’s Constitution and pertinent statutes.

It violates the fundamental rights of crime victims and disregards the rule of law. Most significantly, the date and substance of the new agenda item are an insult to the slain victims who were tortured, raped, and murdered at the hands of the 57 horrible men on Nevada’s Death Row,” Hicks stated.
“There is a democratic procedure in place to discuss and consider issues concerning the death penalty. It has happened several times in previous Nevada legislative sessions. On the other hand, the proposed categorical abolition of 57 death sentences by a simple majority of an 8-member public council is unjust and undemocratic. In response, my office filed a formal legal challenge to the agenda item this afternoon in the First Judicial District Court,” he continued.

Credits: My News 4