Washington state has officially closed the chamber where executions took place, marking the end of capital punishment here in the state. The journey to decommission this chamber involved a lot of moving parts across all branches of government.

First, Governor Jay Inslee put a moratorium on executions in 2014, then the state Supreme Court declared the practice unconstitutional four years later, and finally, the legislature outlawed the practice last year.

Guest:

Nina Shapiro, Seattle Times reporter covering social issues

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: WA death penalty chamber officially closes, ending tumultuous history

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The legacy of capital punishment in Washington