Gov. George Pataki, using the pen of a slain police officer, signed legislation Tuesday to make New York the 38th state with a death penalty.
"Our state has traveled a long and arduous road to arrive at this point in history. . . . That long road is now over. Justice will now be served," Pataki said at a ceremony attended by relatives of murder victims."For too many years, too many New Yorkers have lived in fear of crime," Pataki added. "This law alone won't stop crime, but it is an important step in the right direction."
The Legislature had approved capital punishment bills for 18 straight years, with Democratic governors vetoing the measure every time. Republican Pataki ousted Gov. Mario Cuomo in November.
The law is to take effect with crimes committed on or after Sept. 1. The method of execution: lethal injection.
The Republican-controlled Senate passed the bill 38-19 Monday evening. The state Assembly then approved the measure 94-52 Tuesday after a debate that lasted nearly till dawn.
"If you vote `yes' today, your hand will be on that syringe that kills that person," said Democrat Edward Sullivan.
The New York Civil Liberties Union has vowed to fight the bill in court, which could delay any execution for years.