Lawmakers vote to end death penalty

Hartford (WTNH) - After a session that lasted past 4:00 a.m., members of the Connecticut Senate have approved a measure to abolish the state's death penalty. The bill goes to the governor, where its fate is uncertain.

By a narrow 19-17 vote the Senate voted to end death by lethal injection in the state. Instead, convicted criminals would be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

The House passed the measure last week 90-56.

The bill now goes to Governor Rell's desk. Rell has been a supporter of the death penalty, especially in cases where the crimes are heinous.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed 63% of those questioned support the death penalty, but when asked if they had a choice between life without parole or the death penalty, the results were evenly split.