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New Jersey Abolishes Death Penalty, Sparks Talks Of Change In Texas Death penalty opponents in Austin believe Monday's decision to abolish the death sentence in New Jersey is another indication that the tide is turning.

Death penalty opponents in Austin believe Monday's decision to abolish the death sentence in New Jersey is another indication that the tide is turning.

An announcement out of the Criminal Justice Complex last week seems to be rallying death penalty opponents in Travis County.

For the first time in three decades, a new district attorney will be prosecuting cases here.

"The death penalty system is broken in Texas, and we as voters in Travis County have an opportunity to say, 'Because it's broken, we're not going to use it,'" said Scott Cobb, president of the Texas Moratorium Network.

Cobb said the announcement that District Attorney Ronnie Earle will not seek re-election was tantamount to a rallying cry for death penalty opponents in Travis County, who are now determined to hit the campaign trail.

"We think the people of Travis County are ready to abolish the death penalty in Travis County and that's our challenge to whoever runs for District Attorney," Cobb said.