Bill > HB452

This bill modifies trial procedures for first-degree murder cases in Missouri, establishing a two-stage trial process when the death penalty is not waived. In the first stage, the trier of fact (judge or jury) will only determine guilt or innocence, without considering punishment. If the defendant is found guilty of first-degree murder, a second stage will proceed specifically to determine sentencing. During this second stage, both aggravating and mitigating evidence can be presented, including impact statements from the victim's family. The bill specifies that the punishment will be life imprisonment without possibility of parole if: the defendant is found to be intellectually disabled, no statutory aggravating circumstances are proven beyond reasonable doubt, mitigating evidence outweighs aggravating evidence, or the trier decides not to impose the death penalty. The bill defines "intellectual disability" as a condition involving significantly subaverage intellectual functioning with extensive deficits in adaptive behaviors, documented before age 18. Additionally, the bill allows parties to potentially resolve the intellectual disability issue prior to trial by written agreement. These provisions will apply to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB452&year=2025&code=R