Texas Jurors Get Choice Over Life Without Parole Option
A bill has recently been passed by Texas lawmakers that will enable jurors to select life without parole as an option in murder trials. Currently, Texas is a leading state when it comes to executions, and this is because the options for jurors in such trials is limited. They have only been able to select between the death penalty and life with the possibility of parole. It is hoped that this new bill can help to cut down on executions with an alternative that is harsher than the current life with the possibility of parole option.In 2004 alone, there were twenty-four executions, with a further four in the early part of 2005. Until now Texas is one of two states that did not have the life without parole option for jurors – this is out of the thirty-eight states that operate the death sentence.
It is hoped that this law will bring Texas criminal law into the twenty-first century, giving jurors more choice over the sentencing and reducing the number of executions carried out in the state. "I would expect that if we pass this bill there would be, frankly, fewer executions in this state," said Republican state Sen. Steve Ogden.
In recent times, Texas courts have banned the execution of criminals that are under the age of eighteen, as well as the execution of those proven to be mentally retarded. The newer, updated option available to jurors means that they will now have a more suitable option in cases such as these, where the death penalty is not an option anyway.
Topic Added May 18th, 2005
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