VADP

By Jim Nolan
Published: March 9, 2010

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee yesterday rejected a House version of a bill that would have expanded those eligible for the death penalty to include accomplices and accessories to the murder of a law-enforcement officer.

But it approved an expansion of the death penalty for the murder of fire marshals and auxiliary police officers.

House Bill 502, sponsored by Del. C. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, was a narrower version of a previously defeated Senate bill that would have repealed the so-called "triggerman" law. The "triggerman" law stipulates, with limited exceptions, that only the actual killer can be eligible for the death penalty.

Gilbert's bill, defeated 9-6, would have applied only to law-enforcement officers.

By DENA POTTER

Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Bills to dramatically expand the number of crimes that qualify for the death penalty in Virginia were blocked Monday by a state Senate committee that traditionally passes such measures.

The only measure to pass the Senate Courts of Justice Committee was one expanding the death penalty to those who kill on-duty auxiliary police officers.

Other bills to allow executing murder accomplices and those who kill a variety of first responders were rejected by the panel.

The vote on the accomplice measure was the first time in four years that the committee rejected a proposal to redefine Virginia's triggerman rule, which allows only the person who does the actual killing to receive the death penalty.

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By Anita Kumar  |  February 15, 2010; 12:59 PM ET

The Senate Courts of Justice committee this morning voted against expanding the use of the death penalty to accomplices of those involved with first degree murder. Those who pull the trigger are already subject to the death penalty in Virginia, but not those indirectly involved with murder. Last year, a veto by former Gov. Tim Kaine (D) was all that kept the same measure from becoming law, after it passed the Democratic-led senate.

It was widely thought that the senate would likely approve the bill again this year and it would be signed into law by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), who has voiced his approval. But, it appears the so-called "triggerman" bill will die this year, after a slight change to the courts committee membership resulted in a 6 to 9 vote. The House of Delegates has passed the same bill already, but it is likely the Senate courts committee will reject that measure as well.

There was also a new voice speaking out against the bill: The former executioner of Virginia.

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