Change To Death Penalty Law

The state Senate has approved legislation which would allow prosecutors to seek life without parole against convicted killers without first pursuing the death penalty. Under current law, prosecutors may not obtain a sentence of life without parole unless they first seek the death penalty.

Preston Smith, a Rome Republican, says such capital trials are time-consuming and costly.

The bill now moves to the state House.

(Associated Press)

Jim Martin nets civil rights nod

Democratic Senate candidate Jim Martin earned a key endorsement from a famed civil rights leader -- the Rev. Joseph Lowery. Lowery's endorsement Wednesday is seen as a blow to Martin's rival, Vernon Jones, who is African-American. A runoff election next Tuesday will determine whether Jones or Martin will be the Democratic pick to challenge incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss in November.

Runoff ahead for 10th Congressional District seat

The 10th Congressional district race is headed for a runoff. Tuesday's special election tallied 44-percent of the vote for Jim Whitehead, a former State Senator. The Republican will face either fellow Republican Paul Broun, or Democrat James Marlow. Those two candidates were separated by just over 100 votes. Broun finished on top, but there is likely to be a recount. The runoff election is set for July 17th. Officials said Tuesday's 10th District special election had a higher than expected turnout of 16-percent of the district's 340-thousand registered voters.


In the election to replace Whitehead in the District-24 Senate seat, that was won by William Jackson. He took victory with 63 percent of the vote, defeating three other candidates.