Connect with us

Delaware

Delaware lawmakers vote to remove death penalty from state Constitution

Published

on

Delaware lawmakers vote to remove death penalty from state Constitution


State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, said his constituents were still scarred by the 2009 murder of local police officer Chad Spicer. Defendant Derrick Powell, who had been sentenced to death for the killing, was resentenced to life in prison.

“Our community, by and large, wanted that person put to death because of what they took from our town, what they took from his family, one of which is upstairs right now,” Pettyjohn said. “So when you speak about being on the right side, the right side is for accountability. The right side is to ensure that that individual does not commit another murder again.”

Legislation signed into law last year by then-Gov. John Carney eliminated the death penalty and instructed that any adult convicted of first–degree murder was to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. But future General Assemblies could pass legislation reviving the practice. A constitutional amendment would prohibit its use.

Chief Public Defender Kevin O’Connell, who opposes the death penalty, said a firewall is needed because the state has a long history of ending and then reviving the death penalty, dating back to 1958. He also said Delaware’s historical use of capital punishment has been racially discriminatory.

Advertisement

“For a long time in Delaware and in other states, it was Black people who are most deserving of the death penalty, and Black people who kill white people are most deserving of the death penalty,” he said. “It’s not so much about whether or not some people may deserve to die. It’s whether or not we deserve to kill and whether or not we can set up a system that is truly fair in determining who those people are.”

A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber in two consecutive General Assemblies. It does not require the governor’s signature. The next time it could come up for a vote is after a new General Assembly is elected in November 2026.

This story was supported by a statehouse coverage grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.



Source link

Advertisement

Delaware

PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley

Published

on

PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.

PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.

Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.

READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning

Advertisement

“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.

He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.

Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley

“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”

At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.

Advertisement

“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.

Customers were already stocking up.

“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.

Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.

“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.

Advertisement

PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



Source link

Continue Reading

Delaware

Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

Published

on

Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising


Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.

The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.



Source link

Continue Reading

Delaware

Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say

Published

on

Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say


play

A 77-year-old man died following a two-car crash near Hartly on the morning of Dec. 10, Delaware State Police said.

The man, from the Dover area, has not been identified by police pending family notification.

Advertisement

According to police reports, the man was driving a Honda Accord east on Judith Road approaching Hartly Road about 9 a.m., as an 18-year-old woman was driving a Ford Focus south on Hartly Road approaching Judith Road.

Police reported that a preliminary investigation shows the Honda moved from the stop sign into the Ford’s path, causing a collision.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, from Hartly, was treated at the scene. Police said she refused to be taken to a hospital.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending