Bill > HB161

This bill modifies Missouri's legal provisions concerning sodomy in the first degree, specifically expanding potential penalties to include the death penalty for cases involving sexual assault of a child under twelve years old that are deemed "outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhumane." The bill amends existing statutes to include sodomy in the first degree alongside murder in the first degree when considering legal procedures like two-stage trials, potential death penalty considerations, and sentencing. Key changes include adding sodomy-related offenses to the list of aggravating and mitigating circumstances that can be considered during sentencing, allowing for death penalty consideration in extremely severe cases involving sexual assault of young children, and ensuring that certain sodomy offenses receive similarly rigorous legal treatment as first-degree murder. The bill specifically targets cases where the sexual assault involves a child under twelve and is deemed particularly egregious, with the new provisions allowing for life imprisonment without parole or potentially the death penalty. The modifications aim to provide a more comprehensive legal framework for addressing severe sexual crimes against children, with an emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable victims.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB161&year=2025&code=R