DOVER, Del. (AP) - A death penalty repeal bill that had been languishing in a House committee is headed to a vote by the full House next week after the committee chairman agreed to release it.
Judiciary Committee members voted 6-to-5 last May not to send the bill to the full House after it cleared the Senate on an 11-to-9 vote.
But committee chairman Rep. John Mitchell, D-Elsmere, who opposes repeal, said Thursday that he had signed it out of committee with an "unfavorable" endorsement, allowing the bill to move forward.
Rep. Sean Lynn, a Dover Democrat and chief House sponsor of the legislation, said he believes it has enough support to pass the House.
Democratic Gov. Jack Markell has said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.