Triggerman rule; redefinition thereof, penalty. (HB2358)

Introduced By

Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock)

Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock)
Served: 2006–
with support from co-patrons Clay Athey (R-Front Royal) Scott Lingamfelter (R-Woodbridge) Jimmie Massie (R-Richmond) Charles Poindexter (R-Glade Hill) Beverly Sherwood (R-Winchester)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Criminal law; redefinition of the triggerman rule. Redefines the "triggerman rule," which currently provides that only the actual perpetrator of a capital murder is eligible for the death penalty and that accessories and principals in the second degree can be punished only as if guilty of first degree murder. This bill allows principals in the second degree and accessories before the fact to be charged as principals in the first degree in the cases of murder for hire, murder involving a continuing criminal enterprise, and terrorism. This bill allows, in all other cases of capital murder, a principal in the second degree to be tried as a principal in the first degree if he had the same intent to kill as the principal in the first degree. The bill allows an accessory before the fact to be tried as a principal in the first degree if he ordered or directed the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing.  

Outcome

Bill Has Failed
View Bill's History

Video

Votes were cast on this bill on the following dates for which Richmond Sunlight has video: 01/14/2009, 01/14/2009, 01/15/2009, 01/15/2009, 01/20/2009, 01/20/2009, 02/06/2009, 02/06/2009, 02/08/2009, 02/09/2009, 02/10/2009 and 02/11/2009.