PIERRE, S.D. – A bill to restrict the use of the death penalty in South Dakota failed on the Senate floor Monday afternoon in Pierre.
SB98 sought to limit the application of the death penalty to only those cases where on duty public safety officials are murder victims.
State Senator and retired judge Art Rusch of Vermillion brought the bill. He says capital punishment is ineffective as a deterrent to crime and a symptom of a violent society. He spoke of his personal experience trying capital murder cases as well as the experiences of former State Attorney General and respected jurist Mark Meierhernry who died in 2020.
An emotional but respectful discussion followed. Senators on both sides of the issue referenced scripture in their arguments for and against the use of the death penalty. Sen. Jim Bolin of Canton stood near the end of the debate to recommend both sides ‘use caution’ when quoting the bible saying, “there’s a lot in there.”
SB98 ultimately failed with 13 in support and 20 against.
