2012.02.13
Va. House votes to expand capital punishment
RICHMOND – The Virginia House of Delegates gave preliminary approval today to a measure that would expand capital punishment in the state.
Pending final House passage, it will go to the state Senate, where an identical measure died in committee last week.
The legislation would repeal the so-called “triggerman rule” in current state law, which says only the actual killer in a homicide can be put to death, not any accomplices.
The sponsor of the House bill, HB389, Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah County, said repealing that rule would enable courts to “treat equally guilty actors the same.”
Opposing the bill, Del. Joe Morrissey, D-Henrico County, said the measure would allow someone who was not even at the scene of a murder to be executed.
Barring a vote switch in the Senate, the law seems unlikely to be changed. The companion Senate bill, SB58, died on a 7-7 party-line committee vote with Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, abstaining because he represents defendants in murder cases.
-Bill Sizemore, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
But, all life is sacred, right? Apparently we only need to protect people until they are born; after that it’s every man for himself.
What was it Jesus said to the crowd who wanted to stone the adulteress caught in the act (the punishment for which was death)? Something about “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” I believe. Jesus was an innocent victim of capital punishment; somehow I don’t think He is in favor of it!
Comment by Say What? — February 14, 2012 @ 10:26 am
This way Virgina could catch up with Texas on number of executions. Who said Virgina can’t lead the nation?
Comment by DonS — February 16, 2012 @ 11:55 am