“Upon careful consideration of the defendant’s claims in light of the governing constitutional principles and Connecticut’s unique historical and legal landscape, we are persuaded that, following its prospective abolition, this state’s death penalty no longer comports with contemporary standards of decency and no longer serves any legitimate penological purpose,” the ruling read.
It continued, “For these reasons, execution of those offenders who committed capital felonies prior to April 25, 2012, would violate the state constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.”
The previous Connecticut death penalty law was enacted in 2012 — it prevented prospective execution of capital offenders but still allowed executions of those convicted earlier.
The last person executed in Connecticut was serial killer Michael Ross, who was put to death in 2005 after he had fought a legal battle to end his appeals and have the sentence imposed.
