Miss. set to add terrorism to death penalty law
Mississippi is set to add terrorism to the list of crimes that could lead to the death penalty, if a victim is killed.
“The governor intends to sign this public safety measure,” Gov. Phil Bryant’s spokesman, Mick Bullock, told The Associated Press.
Mississippi prosecutors already can pursue the death penalty if a victim is killed while certain other felonies are committed – crimes such as rape or armed robbery. The new law will add terrorism as one of the other, aggravating crimes.
Senate Bill 2223, which will become law July 1, defines terrorism as an act committed to influence government by intimidation, coercion, mass destruction or assassination, or to intimidate or coerce civilians.
It specifies that such intimidation or coercion would not include “peaceful picketing, boycotts or other nonviolent action.”
AP
4/9/13
Magnolia Tribune
