SB 30: Applying the Death Penalty to More Cases

This bill passed the Senate with a vote of 22-3 and the House with a vote of 39-29.

The death penalty is a costly and convoluted punishment that does not deter crime and is often unjustly applied to innocent people. We have previously encouraged Utahns to rethink our approach to capital punishment.

Senate Bill 30, sponsored by Senator Karen Mayne, expands the list of offenses for which a prosecutor may seek the death penalty. SB 30 states that a person may be sentenced to death if they intentionally and knowingly kill a person “on duty in a verified position or the homicide is based on, is caused by, or is related to the victim’s position, and the actor knew,  reasonably should have known, that the victim holds or has held the position” of the following:

• correctional officer;
• special function officer;
• search and rescue personnel;
• emergency medical personnel;
• ambulance personnel;
• any other emergency responder; or
• a security officer contracted to secure, guard, or otherwise protect tangible personal property, real property, or the life and well-being of human or animal life in the area of the offense.

In light of the many problems with capital punishment the Legislature should not be increasingly adding more protected professions to the list that can enable a prosecutor to seek this punishment.