SPONSOR: Hovis
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Judiciary by a vote of 8 to 4.
This bill applies existing statutory provisions relating to postconviction relief in sentences of death to motions under Missouri Supreme Court Rules, as provided in the bill.
The bill also provides that the State will comply with any additional requirements of Federal law, as described in the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this deals with provisions related to postconviction relief to expedite review of death penalty cases. Death penalty cases are rare but, when they do occur, they continue to be dragged out. In the late 1980s, the usual time spent on death row was six years, but now it’s up to 12-15 years. The burden it places on the victims is the major concern. It is also agonizing for the person sitting on death row because that person is waiting for his or her case to be decided.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Hovis; Diana Mosier; Traci Duncan; and Gregory M. Goodman, Missouri Attorney General's Office.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: