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Death Penalty Likely to Expand in Virginia Under McDonnell

By Steve Hall

That's the title of Bill Sizemore's report in today Virginian.  LINKWith a new governor in office, Virginia appears poised to significantly expand its use of the death penalty.Two death-penalty bills won preliminary approval by overwhelming margins Tuesday in the House of Delegates. One would make accomplices to a murder eligible for capital punishment. The other would extend the ultimate penalty to the killers of emergency personnel other than police officers.Both measures have been passed by the General Assembly before and vetoed by former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine. Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican who took office last month, is favorably disposed toward both, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.HB502, sponsored by Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Woodstock, would repeal the state's "triggerman rule," which provides that only the actual perpetrator of a capital murder is eligible for the death penalty...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on February 03, 2010 (boomark / email).