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Redefinition of the Triggerman Rule:
VADP opposes SB 961 and HB 2358. The
"triggerman rule" currently provides that only the actual perpetrator
of a capital murder is eligible for the death penalty. This bill would allow principals in the
second degree and accessories before the fact to be charged with capital murder
and eligible for the death penalty. This
is an exceedingly broad expansion which would lead to less clarity within the
capital murder statute and issues in application. The already capricious application of the
death penalty regarding both race and geography would be enhanced and the number
of individuals eligible for the death penalty would substantially
increase.
Track the progress of SB 961
Track the progress of HB 2358
Death Penalty Expansion:
VADP opposes SB 1069 which adds fire marshals and assistant fire marshals with
law-enforcement powers to the capital murder statute so that the death sentence
can be imposed for the murder of such a fire marshal. This legislation would
address few, if any, situations not already covered within the current statute
and could lead to less clarity within the statute and more arbitrary application
of the death penalty.
Track the progress of SB 1069
VADP opposes SB 1409
which would add auxiliary police officers and auxiliary deputy sheriffs to the
definition of law-enforcement officer in the capital murder statute. The capital justice system is broken; the
Commonwealth must take a “time out” to examine these issues and not continue to
expand the current statute.
Track the progress of SB 1409
VADP opposes HB
2585 which would
add uncompensated auxiliary police officers and auxiliary deputy sheriffs to the
definition of law-enforcement officer in the capital murder statute so that the
death sentence can be imposed for the murder of such an
officer.
Track the progress of HB 2585
VADP opposes HB
2638 which would
add auxiliary police officers and auxiliary deputy sheriffs, as well as fire
marshals and assistant fire marshals with police powers, to the definition of
law-enforcement officer in the capital murder statute so that the death sentence
can be imposed for the murder of such an officer or
marshal.
Track the progress of HB 2638
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