The West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill, SB 264, that would reinstate the death penalty for those convicted of intentionally killing law enforcement officers or first responders while they are on duty. The bill, proposed by Committee Chairman Mike Stuart, aims to provide justice for the families of fallen officers and first responders. The death penalty would only apply in cases of first-degree murder where the victim was a law enforcement officer or first responder. The legal process would involve two phases, with a unanimous jury decision required for a death sentence. The bill has received mixed reactions, with concerns raised about the morality of capital punishment. The bill is now set to move to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration. The Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation would determine the method of execution, with lethal injection and firing squad mentioned as potential options. West Virginia abolished the death penalty in 1965, and this bill represents a significant potential change to the state’s legal system.
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