From: Matt Howes, National Internet Organizer, ACLU
To: ACLU Action Network Members
South Dakota Residents: Help save lives by supporting an important death penalty reform
The state of South Dakota is considering new legislation that would give people on trial a second chance for life. The proposed bill (SB 206) would establish a second sentencing proceeding in death penalty cases and give greater discretion to judges: After a person has been sentenced to death, a judge would review the sentence and consider whether the person could be safely sentenced to life without parole. If the judge finds that the defendant would not constitute a serious and continuing threat to the lives of others, then the judge could sentence the person to life without parole.
This legislation would help ensure that people are not needlessly sentenced to death and give judges much-needed latitude in sentencing. This is an important reform to the South Dakota death penalty system and deserves your support.
Take Action!
Contact your Senator and Representative and ask them to vote for SB 206.
http://www.aclu.org/DeathPenalty/DeathPenalty.cfm