December 31, 2019
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia has executed nearly 1,400 people in its 412-year history — more than any other state. But as a new Democratic majority prepares to begin the legislative session, some see an opportunity to end executions in Virginia.

A bill to abolish the death penalty has been filed by Del. Lee Carter, a Democrat from Manassas, and several additional bills are expected…Read More >>

December 21, 2019
In the early hours of Sept. 14, 1982, a man broke into a home in Newport News and beat 30-year-old Jesse Perron to death with a crowbar. Then, over several hours, the attacker sexually assaulted Perron’s 22-year-old wife, Teresa, leaving bite marks during the assault. Before the attacker fled, he took $14 from Teresa’s purse. Evidence pointed toward a sailor who served on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson that was harbored nearby. At the time, I was one of 1,300 crew members on that ship…Read More >>

November 22, 2019

On Aug. 21, 2006, my father, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Cpl. Eric Sutphin, was gunned down when he encountered William Morva on a massive manhunt in Blacksburg, Va. Morva was caught, charged and tried on two counts of capital murder. Despite Morva showing symptoms of severe mental illness, the jury sentenced him to die. Given this history, it might surprise many that I advocate legislation in the Virginia General Assembly that would abolish the death penalty…Read More >>