Nebraska Gov. Ricketts spokeswoman disputes claims made in death penalty

A lawsuit has been filed, asking the courts to throw out the almost 167,000 signatures gathered in a referendum petition campaign seeking to force a vote on the death penalty.

Opponents of an effort to put death penalty on the ballot have filed a lawsuit challenging the petition.

The drive was launched after lawmakers overrode Ricketts’ veto and abolished capital punishment.

Nebraskans for Public Safety filled the lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Christy and Richard Hargesheimer. “The main claim in this suit is that a critical error was made in the filings – that is to say the sworn list of sponsors doesn’t include someone we think was the main sponsor: Gov. Pete Ricketts”, Peterson said.

“In the case of the death penalty referendum, it is clear that Governor Ricketts and his supporters failed to do their due diligence and appeared to have cut corners”. Ricketts was the major donor for the effort.

The next round of Nebraska’s battle over the death penalty could be headed for the courtroom.

Nebraskans for the Death Penalty delivered 166,692 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office on August . 26.

Hardin says the lawsuit is “yet another example of special interests using the courts in an attempt to thwart the will of voters”.