Washington State Abolishes Death Penalty

Reuters reports Washington has become the 20th U.S. state to abolish capital punishment. The state's Supreme Court struck down the death penalty on Thursday, saying in a unanimous decision that detailed its use as arbitrary and racially biased. The Washington Supreme court stated the penalty "fails to serve any legitimate enological goal." After the court decision, Democratic Governor Jay Inslee tweeted, “Equal justice is a hallmark of democracy and assuring equal justice is the state’s responsibility."