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Where's death penalty in push for criminal justice overhaul?

Department of Corrections officials look through a window from the witness room outside the newly renovated death chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even as President Barack Obama makes a case for overhauling sentences, rehabilitating prisoners and confronting racial bias in policing, he's been less clear about the death penalty.

Obama has hinted that his support for capital punishment is eroding, but he's refused to discuss what he might do.

A Justice Department review has dragged on for 18 months with little mention or momentum. The president recently said he's "deeply concerned" about the death penalty's implementation, though he also acknowledges the issue hasn't been a top priority.

Obama says he plans to weigh in, and considers the issue part of his larger, legacy-minded push for an overhaul of the criminal justice system. White House officials say the president is looking for an appropriate response and wading through the legal ramifications.

 

Kathleen Hennessey. Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Gayly - 11/26/2015 @ 8:37 a.m.

Politics
death penalty
obama
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criminal justice