SB 951 - This act provides that the death penalty may be sought for the offenses of statutory rape in the first degree and sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree.

If the death penalty is not waived by the state, the trial shall proceed in two stages before the same trier of fact. In the first stage, the trier shall determine whether the defendant is guilty. In the second stage, if the trier found the defendant guilty of statutory rape in the first degree or sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree, the trier shall assess and determine the punishment.

If the trier finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is intellectually disabled, there is a mitigation of punishment, or the trier decides not to declare a punishment of death, then a punishment at life imprisonment without eligibility for parole shall be declared. If the trier is a jury and it is unable to decide upon the punishment, the judge shall determine the punishment.

This act shall only apply to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2024.

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

Statutes affected:
Introduced (4350S.02): 566.250


Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 951
Sponsor: Moon
Hearing Date: 3/11/2024


COMMITTEE: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

CHAIRMAN: Luetkemeyer

DATE REFERRED: 1/25/2024 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:



STAFF:
Cindy Kadlec
Katie O'Brien
Mary Grace Pringle
Harli Rhodes


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Lisa Pannett - Armorvine
Timothy Faber


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Brian Bernskoetter - Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
May Hall
Jeremy LaFavor - Empower Missouri
Mary Fox - Missouri State Public Defender
Elyse Max - Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty