Legislation that would have abolished the death penalty in Louisiana is basically dead after a house vote yesterday.

The issue has frequently come up at the State Capitol, but continues to face major resistance in both the Republican controlled house and senate.

Supporters of the bill say this is just another step towards the end of capital punishment and that they will soon try again.

Louisiana is one of 31 states that still have the death penalty as an option for criminal punishment.

No prisoner has been executed in Louisiana since 2010.