HB 1854 -- Death Penalty Commission

Sponsor:  Bland

This bill places a moratorium on all executions until January 1,
2008, and establishes a Commission on the Death Penalty to study
the use of the death penalty.  The commission will consist of
nine members including the state public defender, the Attorney
General, three members appointed by the Governor, two Senators
appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate, and two
Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.  The commission will hire an executive director
and will study whether:

(1)  Persons sentenced to death are, in fact, guilty of the
crimes for which they have been convicted;

(2)  Adequate counsel was provided;

(3)  Race was a factor in the use of the death penalty;

(4)  Appellate and post-conviction procedures are adequate to
correct errors and injustices occurring at the trial level,
including access to evidence for forensic testing; and

(5)  Prosecutors throughout the state seek the death penalty in a
uniform fashion.

The commission must issue a report of its findings to the
Governor, General Assembly, and Supreme Court by January 1, 2008.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:44 am