Lawmakers Want To Check Judicial Powers In Death Penalty Cases

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A legislative committee will debate a bill to prevent judges from imposing a death sentence when a jury has recommended life imprisonment.

The House Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing Wednesday afternoon on the legislation to do away with judicial override in capital murder cases. Currently in Alabama, a jury recommends a sentence of death or life imprisonment in capital murder cases, but the judge hands down the final decision.

The bill by Tuscaloosa Rep. Chris England would prevent a judge from overriding the jury’s wishes. It would also require all 12 jurors to agree to impose the death penalty.

The Senate Judiciary Committee last week narrowly passed a similar bill.