This bill seeks to abolish the death penalty in Missouri by repealing multiple sections of current law that pertain to capital punishment and enacting five new sections that redefine the classification and penalties for homicide offenses. Specifically, it establishes that any felony not explicitly classified will be treated as a class E felony, while first-degree murder will be classified as a class A felony, punishable by life imprisonment without the possibility of probation, parole, or release except by gubernatorial action. The bill also ensures that if a death sentence has been imposed but not executed, the defendant will automatically receive a life sentence under the same conditions. In addition to abolishing the death penalty, the bill modifies trial procedures for homicide cases, allowing for the charging of homicide offenses alongside other charges and permitting the waiver of jury trials under certain circumstances. It introduces new requirements for the disclosure of evidence and witness information during murder trials, mandating that parties provide relevant details to opposing counsel. The bill also clarifies the two-stage trial process for first-degree murder, focusing on guilt in the first stage and punishment in the second, while emphasizing the need for evidence of aggravating circumstances and consideration of mitigating factors in sentencing decisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (4944H.01): 546.680, 546.690, 546.700, 546.710, 546.720, 546.730, 546.740, 546.750, 546.800, 546.810, 546.820, 557.021, 565.004, 565.005, 565.006, 565.020, 565.030, 565.032, 565.035, 565.040