VADP

BILL TO ELIMINATE 'TRIGGERMAN' RULE CLEARS VA. HOUSE AP                                                    09Feb08 

Richmond, VA -

The House has passed legislation to eliminate Virginia's so-called triggerman rule, but it likely faces a veto by Gov. Tim Kaine. 

In Virginia, only the person directly responsible for a killing can get the death penalty. The House voted 77-21 Friday to allow capital punishment for any accomplice who shares the triggerman's intent to kill. 

The Senate passed similar legislation 24-14 earlier this week, but it was not a wide enough margin to override a gubernatorial veto. 

The General Assembly passed the same measure last year. Kaine vetoed it and the Senate came up two votes shy of the 27 needed to override. The House voted 79-21 to override the veto. 

Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey has said the governor will veto the bill again if it reaches his desk. ---------------------------------