HELENA – Death penalty opponents are hoping they will be able to push a ban through the Legislature.
Their proposal to end the death penalty in Montana, in favor of life in prison without parole, got its first hearing in a Senate committee Wednesday.
Supporters lined up to push Senate Bill 236. They included the Catholic church, family members of murder victims, some Democrats, some Republicans and many others.
Opponents included some conservative Christians, and others who argue that it stands as a deterrent to murder and is needed to deal with murderers.
Two years ago the death penalty ban cleared the Senate, but died in a House committee.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer has not said whether he would veto a ban on the death penalty, but has in the past voiced support for the death penalty.