HB 1815 -- Death Penalty

Sponsor:  Calloway

This bill prohibits any agent of the state from seeking,
imposing, affirming, or inflicting a sentence of death on the
basis of race.  Certain evidence relevant to establish a finding
that race was the basis for seeking the death penalty may include
statistical evidence, and the defendant has the burden of proving
that at the time of sentencing race was a significant factor in
decisions to seek or impose the death sentence.  If a court
determines that race was a significant factor in decisions to
seek or impose the death penalty, it must order that a sentence
of death not be sought against the defendant or the defendant's
death sentence must be vacated and the defendant re-sentenced to
life imprisonment without eligibility for probation, parole, or
release except by an act of the Governor.  The provisions of the
bill must be applied retroactively.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm