Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill ending the state's policy of allowing judges to override juries recommendations in death penalty cases. Alabama was the only state where a judge could sentence someone to death even when a jury recommends life imprisonment. The judicial override issue was part of Alabama Public Radio's series on judicial and prison reform. The measure passed the House last week after a rare showing of bipartisan support in the Republican-controlled legislature. The legislation will only apply to future capital cases and not affect the one hundred and eighty three inmates currently on Alabama's death row. Click to listen to APR's feature on judicial override again.
http://apr.org/post/justice-reform-when-jury-says-life-prison-and-judge-says-death#stream/0