New Jersey now becomes the first US State since 1965 to repeal the death penalty. The state's move is being hailed around the world as a historic victory against capital punishment.

On Monday, Gov. Jon S. Corzine has signed legislation, ending capital punishment in New Jersey.

Jon Corzine, Governor of New Jersey said, "Today New Jersey evolves. This is a day of progress for us and for the millions of people across our nation and around the globe that reject the death penalty as a moral or practical response to the grievous, even heinous, crime of murder."

"I have been moved by the passionate views on both sides of this issue, and I firmly believe that replacing the death penalty with life in prison without parole best captures our State's highest values and reflects our best efforts to search for true justice,” he added.

The New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission concluded in a report, “The commission has found no evidence that the death penalty deters further crimes. Life sentences without parole for the most heinous crimes would do more to promote public safety and serve society’s interests.”

Jon Corzine further stated that I believed “from my heart and from my soul” that ending capital punishment in New Jersey was the right decision.