Triggerman rule; redefinition thereof, penalty. (SB961)

Introduced By

Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg)

Progress

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

Description

Redefinition of the triggerman rule; penalty. 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. Amends § 18.2-18, of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

  • 01/12/2009 Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/09 098147288
  • 01/12/2009 Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
  • 01/13/2009 Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
  • 01/15/2009 Impact statement from VCSC (SB961)
  • 01/20/2009 Impact statement from DPB (SB961)
  • 01/21/2009 Reported from Courts of Justice (8-Y 6-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
  • 01/23/2009 Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
  • 01/26/2009 Read second time and engrossed
  • 01/27/2009 Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 14-N) (see vote tally)
  • 01/27/2009 Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
  • 01/27/2009 Passed Senate (24-Y 16-N) (see vote tally)
  • 02/05/2009 Placed on Calendar
  • 02/05/2009 Read first time
  • 02/05/2009 Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
  • 02/20/2009 Reported from Courts of Justice (17-Y 5-N) (see vote tally)
  • 02/24/2009 Read second time
  • 02/25/2009 Read third time
  • 02/25/2009 Passed House (74-Y 26-N)
  • 02/25/2009 VOTE: --- PASSAGE (74-Y 26-N) (see vote tally)
  • 03/04/2009 Enrolled
  • 03/04/2009 Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB961ER)
  • 03/05/2009 Signed by President
  • 03/06/2009 Signed by Speaker
  • 03/12/2009 Impact statement from DPB (SB961ER)
  • 03/30/2009 G Vetoed by Governor
  • 04/07/2009 Placed on Calendar
  • 04/08/2009 Motion to pass in enrolled form rejected (24-Y 16-N) (see vote tally)
  • 04/08/2009 Senate sustained Governor's veto

Comments

Anne writes:

Murder is wrong! in any and all circumstances. It does not matter who commits the murder -- the state or an individual. It is a violation of humanity -- mine and the person whose life is ended and all members of the human community. This bill seeks to create a justification for allowing the execution of a human being. I say NO! to murder, especially when it is done purposefully by the state in my name.

Posted 53 months ago.
Nate writes:

this isnt right just because your fellow felon killed some guy doesnt mean you should die for it!

Posted 52 months ago.