Bill > H1464

This bill proposes to amend the Massachusetts General Laws to establish capital punishment (the death penalty) for the murder of a law enforcement officer. Key provisions include: 1. Defining "capital murder" as the intentional killing or infliction of serious bodily injury resulting in the death of a law enforcement officer, either knowing the victim was an officer or in retaliation for their duties. 2. Requiring a presentence hearing after a conviction for capital murder, where the jury will consider aggravating and mitigating circumstances to determine if the sentence should be death or life imprisonment without parole. 3. Listing specific aggravating factors the jury must consider, such as the victim being a law enforcement officer, the defendant having prior convictions for violent crimes, or the murder being committed during another felony. 4. Providing a list of mitigating factors the jury can consider, such as the defendant having no significant criminal history, the victim's participation or consent, or the defendant's mental health or age. 5. Specifying that the jury's decision on the sentence must be unanimous, and if they cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the defendant will be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1464