It's The End Of The Death Penalty In Oregon

p>Human rights advocates are applauding Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, after she announced Tuesday that she would commute the sentences of all 17 of the state's death row inmates and shut down its execution chamber.

Brown told Oregon Public Broadcasting that she believes the death penalty is "both dysfunctional and immoral."

"Justice is not advanced by taking a life, and the state should not be in the business of executing people—even if a terrible crime placed them in prison," said the governor, who is term-limited and will be replaced by Gov.-elect Tina Kotek, also a Democrat who opposes capital punishment, next month.