New Jersey governor signs law imposing death penalty moratorium News
New Jersey governor signs law imposing death penalty moratorium

[JURIST] New Jersey Gov. Richard J. Codey [official website] on Thursday signed several bills, including one which creates a special commission on the death penalty [JURIST news archive] and places a moratorium on capital punishment until at least 60 days after the task force releases its findings. The New Jersey Legislature [official website] passed the bill [JURIST report], which makes New Jersey the first state to suspend executions via legislation, on Monday with the expectation that Codey, who leaves office on January 17, would sign the bill. The New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission [statement, PDF], a 13-member panel charged with studying the fairness and costs of the death penalty, has until November to report its findings. The task force also plans to evaluate alternatives to the death penalty, accounting for both public safety and the needs of the victims' families. Also on Thursday, Codey signed a bill extending spousal rights [JURIST report] for funerals and disposition of remains to domestic partners. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

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