Death penalty opponents file lawsuit saying petition drive should be invalidated
Source: Omaha World Herald
By Paul Hammel
LINCOLN — Death penalty opponents went on the offensive Thursday, asking a judge to nullify a referendum that seeks to overturn the repeal of the death penalty.
The lawsuit, filed by Nebraskans for Public Safety, claims that the petition drive failed to list Gov. Pete Ricketts as one of its sponsors, as is required by law.
The lawsuit also alleges that the Republican governor violated his oath of office by seeking to overturn a state law, rather than working to uphold it.
The Nebraska Legislature voted to repeal the death penalty this spring, overcoming a veto by the governor. That prompted the organization of a pro-death penalty group – staffed with Ricketts’ associates and funded in large part by the governor and his family – that circulated petitions to allow Nebraska voters to decide the fate of the death penalty.
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