HR 2398 · 99th Congress · Crime and Law Enforcement

A bill to amend title 18 of the United States Code to provide capital punishment for first degree murders committed by prisoners serving a life sentence.

Introduced 1985-05-07· Sponsored by Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6]· House

Bill Progress

Introduced
2
Committee
3
House Vote
4
Senate
5
Enacted
Latest: Subcommittee Hearings Held.(1986-07-24)

Plain Language Summary

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Amends the Federal criminal code to impose the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for first degree murders committed by prisoners serving life sentences in Federal correctional institutions. Requires the Government, for any offense punishable by death, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a guilty plea that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury or the court upon motion by the defendant with the approval of the Government, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Eliminates the requirement for a presentence report. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading of the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the evidence and aggravating factors which the Gove…

Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only

Cosponsors (17)

5 Democrats12 Republicans