In one of his first major policy proclamations as governor in February 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced not only that he was extending his predecessor’s moratorium on capital punishment, but that he was “calling on the General Assembly to work with me to abolish the death penalty in Pennsylvania — once and for all.”

It was a remarkable break for Mr. Shapiro, who had supported the death penalty during his runs for Attorney General. It may have also seemed like a fantastical idea, even a kind of political dodge, because the state legislature is so divided along party and ideological lines.

But suddenly, just last week, an opportunity has arrived for Mr. Shapiro to make good on his promise: Eight bipartisan members of the state House, led by a conservative Republican, have co-sponsored a bill that would end capital punishment in the commonwealth — once and for all. The General Assembly should pass the bill, and Mr. Shapiro should deploy his influence to make sure it does so.

House Bill 888’s prime sponsor is Russ Diamond, a Lebanon County Republican known for his quixotic crusade to end property taxes in Pennsylvania. This anti-death penalty effort might seem equally quixotic — were it not for a bipartisan group of co-sponsors of three Republicans (including Reps. Valerie Gaydos of Moon, and Marla Brown of Lawrence County) and four Democrats.

Mr. Diamond’s letter seeking co-sponsorships is the finest explanation of the moral and procedural arguments against the death penalty we have ever seen from an elected official. It’s worth excerpting the letter at length:

“The death penalty is not only inconsistent with the sanctity of life, but it also fails to meet the practical and moral standards of justice and equality:

“Risk of Wrongful Execution: The irreversible nature of the death penalty magnifies its tragic consequences. Over 190 individuals nationwide have been exonerated from death row since 1973, with some coming within days of execution. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 13 individuals who had been sentenced to death in Pennsylvania were later exonerated, including one in 2024. This stark reality reminds us that the system is fallible and that every error costs an innocent life.

“Perpetuation of Violence: Capital punishment perpetuates a cycle of violence that devalues human life and undermines our efforts to build a culture of life and hope. Justice can be served through life imprisonment without parole, which holds offenders accountable while preserving life.

“Bias and Inequities Persist: The application of the death penalty disproportionately affects people of color, those with limited financial resources, and individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities.

“Deterrence is a Myth: Decades of research show no evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than life imprisonment without parole. Public safety is better served by investing in crime prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based support systems.

“Economic and Ethical Costs: Pursuing the death penalty burdens taxpayers with excessive costs, diverting resources away from victim support and crime prevention efforts. A recent study found that since Pennsylvania enacted the death penalty in 1978, it has cost the state roughly $816 million dollars more than the cost of life without parole. These resources would be better spent on initiatives that uplift life and community well-being.”

We could not have said it any better. Mr. Diamond’s courageous bill should be taken up by the full chamber, passed and sent to the Senate, where we hope and expect to see another round of bipartisan support. This effort should not be subject to partisan deal-making: It’s simply the right thing to do, and will make all the stronger statement about human dignity the more bipartisan support there is.

Pennsylvania should remember 2025 as the year its expensive and unjust death penalty was finally abolished.

First Published: March 19, 2025, 8:30 a.m.