SISOLAK TRIES TO KILL THE DEATH PENALTY ON HIS WAY OUT

Dec. 21, 2022

Rob Lauer Political Reporter

With only a few weeks until Joe Lombardo is sworn in as Nevada Governor, Sisolak attempted to use the state prison parole board to reduce ALL death sentences to life in prison. Judge Wilson quashed the effort.

Wilson said in his ruling, the state failed to provide a 15 day comment period. Under Marcy’s Law, a Nevada Constitutional amendment added through a statewide vote in 2018 that guarantees notice to victims He said victims were entitled to at least 15 days’ notice before proceedings regarding commutation are discussed.

“Sisolak’s agenda item only provided three business days before the hearing where the commutation… will be discussed,” Wilson explained.

Sisolak issued the following statement:

“I am closing out my time in office this month. I could not allow myself to leave this position without starting the necessary conversations. Placing this matter on the agenda was done as an act of grace and with the understanding that the death penalty is fundamentally broken.”

Joe Lombardo issued the following statement in response:

“I’m thankful to Judge James Wilson for upholding the law, and I’m grateful that he protected the voter-approved constitutional rights of crime victims and their families. I’m relieved that justice has prevailed through Marsy’s Law.”

There are currently 83 prisoners on death row in Nevada. Edward Wilson has been sitting on death row the longest, since 1980.

Nevada’s last prisoner executed was Daryl Mack, by lethal injection, on April 26, 2006. Mack was executed for the rape and murder of Betty Jane May in 1988.