Under existing law, in a capital case, the jury may recommend to the court the sentence of a person convicted of a capital offense, but the court is not required to accept the jury's recommendation. Also under existing law, the decision of a jury to recommend a sentence of death is required to be based on a vote of at least 10 jurors.
The bill would require a verdict of death to be based on a unanimous vote of the jury and would prohibit a court from overriding a verdict by a jury in a capital case.
England motion to Indefinitely Postpone adopted Voice Vote
England motion to Substitute SB16 for HB32 adopted Voice Vote
Motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 360
Hill Amendment Offered
Motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 359
Mooney Amendment Offered
Third Reading Indefinitely Postponed
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary
Source: Alabama Legislature