Oregon Bans Death Penalty

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber imposed a moratorium on all executions in the state, saying the death penalty is arbitrary, expensive, and "fails to meet basic standards of justice."

The move halts the execution of Gary Haugen, which was scheduled for Dec. 6.

Gov. Kitzhaber had allowed the 1996 execution of Douglas F. Wright and the 1997 execution of Harry C. Moore. This time, Kitzhaber's personal convictions and frustration with the state's capital punishment system won out, reports The Oregonian .