SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO (AP) -- New Mexico's new governor, who's a former prosecutor in Las Cruces, says some crimes deserve the ultimate punishment.
Gov. Susana Martinez wants the death penalty back on the state's books. Some religious groups are opposing her effort, but organizations representing prosecutors and law enforcement officers say the death penalty is necessary.
When New Mexico repealed capital punishment in 2009, it replaced lethal injection with life in prison without the possibility of parole,.
New Mexico is now one of 15 states without a death penalty.
Republican Rep. Dennis Kintigh of Roswell introduced the first attempt to reinstate the death penalty this year.
He wants to put the question before the voters as a state constitutional amendment. Kintigh says he believes voters should decide such a serious issue.
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