Supporters of repeal, who fended off more than a dozen efforts to amend the bill, noted that Connecticut has carried out only one execution since 1960 -- that of serial killer Michael Bruce Ross, who was put to death in 2005 by lethal injection. He confessed to eight murders of young women and spent 18 years on death row before his execution.
Some of those who backed the repeal also said that sometimes, people serving time in prison or on death row are exonerated years later because of new evidence. "The government does make mistakes, please remember that," said Rep. Mary Mushinsky, who cited the case of Kenneth Ireland. Ireland was freed from a Connecticut prison in August 2009 after more than 20 years on death row for a rape and murder he did not commit.
From the Los Angeles Times
