Bill > H1666

This bill establishes a specific category of capital murder for the killing of law enforcement officers, allowing for the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. The bill defines capital murder as the intentional killing of a law enforcement officer (including correction officers, police officers, sheriffs, or deputy sheriffs) either while the officer is performing duties or in retaliation for their duties. The bill outlines a detailed presentence hearing process where a jury must unanimously decide between the death penalty and life imprisonment without parole by carefully weighing specific aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Aggravating circumstances include factors such as the murder occurring during the officer's official duties, the defendant being previously convicted of violent crimes, or the murder being particularly heinous. Mitigating circumstances include considerations like the defendant's lack of significant criminal history, mental health issues, age, or experiencing personal trauma. The jury must unanimously agree on aggravating circumstances, but mitigating circumstances can be established by one or more jurors. If the jury cannot unanimously decide on a sentence, the default is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The bill provides a comprehensive framework for prosecuting and sentencing individuals who murder law enforcement officers, emphasizing the serious nature of such crimes while maintaining a structured judicial process for determining appropriate punishment.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1666