NJ Death Penalty Vote

TRENTON, NJ (AP) -- The state Senate may vote today to make New Jersey the first state to abolish the death penalty since the Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976.

The debate commences a key week for the death penalty in the Garden State.

An Assembly committee also will hold a hearing today on whether to abolish it, while the full Assembly is set to vote Thursday on the bill.

If approved by both Democratically controlled houses, it would go to Governor Corzine for his signature.

Corzine opposes the death penalty and wants to sign the bill that replaces capital punishment with life without parole.

New Jersey reinstated the death penalty in 1982, but hasn't executed anyone since 1963.

Republicans want to retain the death penalty -- at least for those who murder law enforcement officials, rape and murder children and for terrorists.