Article updated: 3/10/2011 6:40 AM

Quinn abolishes death penalty

Quinn signs legislation, to mixed reaction from suburbs

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Gov. Pat Quinn signed a death penalty ban into law Wednesday. “It is impossible to create a perfect system, one that is free of all mistakes,” Quinn said.

AP file photo

Cindy McNamara, mother of slain college student and Rolling Meadows native Shannon McNamara, had sent Quinn a letter strongly urging him to veto the legislation, saying the ultimate punishment is needed for the most heinous crimes.

This picture of Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville, age 10, was taken on Feb. 23, 1982, just two days before her murder. Her father, Tom, said he thought the governor’s decision seemed heartfelt, “but I didn’t get a crack at his heart.”

Brian J. Dugan’s sentence now will be life without parole for killing Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville.

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Tom Nicarico, whose 10-year-old daughter Jeanine was raped and murdered after being abducted from their Naperville home, watched Gov. Pat Quinn online Wednesday as he told reporters about his decision to abolish the death penalty.