Ark. legislative panel approves execution proposal - KATV - Breaking News, Weather and Razorback Sports

Ark. legislative panel approves execution proposal

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Former death row inmate testifying against the death penalty saying he used to believe in it but not anymore Former death row inmate testifying against the death penalty saying he used to believe in it but not anymore
photo by KATV's Janelle Lilley photo by KATV's Janelle Lilley

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - An Arkansas legislative panel has approved a proposal to allow certain relatives of victims to attend executions despite opposition from the Department of Correction.

The Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday passed a measure that would allow some adult relatives of victims to watch executions in person. Current law says adult relatives of victims can watch executions on a closed-circuit TV.

Arkansas Department of Correction spokeswoman Dina Tyler spoke out Wednesday against the proposal filed by Republican Sen. Bart Hester of Cave Springs.

Tyler says the execution chamber is a very small room and that emotions run high during executions.

The measure now heads to the Senate for a vote.

Arkansas doesn't have any pending executions. The state Supreme Court struck down Arkansas' lethal injection law last year.

COMPLETE COVERAGE
Ark. governor signs lethal injection legislation (Feb. 20)
Ark. House panel to vote lethal injection measure (Feb. 14)
Ark. legislative panel approves execution proposal (Jan. 30)
Capital punishment debated in Senate committee (Jan. 30)
Execution legislation to be filed in Arkansas (Jan. 21)
Ark. lawmaker proposes changes to lethal injection (Jan. 17)
Beebe says he'd sign bill outlawing death penalty (Jan. 16)
Execution issues likely on tap in Ark. session (Dec. 2)