This bill proposes an amendment to the penalty for second degree murder under West Virginia Code 61-2-3. The current punishment of a definite term of imprisonment ranging from ten to forty years is replaced with a new penalty of 15 years to life imprisonment. Additionally, the bill stipulates that individuals convicted of second degree murder will not be eligible for parole until they have served a minimum of 15 years of their sentence or the minimum period required by existing law, whichever is greater.

The changes in the bill aim to increase the severity of the punishment for second degree murder, reflecting a stricter approach to this crime. The amendments include the insertion of new language that specifies the updated penalties and the removal of the previous terms, thereby reinforcing the state's commitment to addressing violent crimes more rigorously.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-2-3