By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama State Bar wants to publish a brochure exploring the pros and cons of temporarily stopping executions in the state. State Bar President Bill Clark says the issue falls under the state bar's mission statement. But State Attorney General Troy King is discouraging the Bar, saying the matter should be left to the state legislature. Lawmakers have considered moratorium bills for several years, but they have never approved one. Other states have stopped their executions to examine whether defendants receive adequate legal counsel and whether the death penalty is applied fairly. The states also are investigating whether safeguards are in place to prevent innocent people from being executed.