WRIC Richmond News and Weather - 'Triggerman' Revision Killed By Senate Panel

'Triggerman' Revision Killed By Senate Panel

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The General Assembly has rejected legislation to expand Virginia's death penalty law.

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted 8-6, with one abstention, on Wednesday to kill legislation allowing the death penalty for accomplices who share the intent to kill. Under current law, the so-called triggerman rule allows capital punishment only for the person who does the actual killing.

Two weeks ago, the Senate's own version of the Republican-backed bill died in the courts committee on a 7-7 party-line vote, with one Republican abstaining because he accepts court appointments to represent capital murder defendants. Sen. Bill Stanley abstained again, and Republican Sen. Bryce Reeves switched sides and voted against the bill.

Reeves said later that he changed his vote because of his faith.

He declined to elaborate.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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