The New York State Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Martin Golden that would establish the death penalty for criminals who kill police officers.

The New York State Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), that would establish the death penalty for criminals who kill police officers. The legislation, which has yet to be addressed by the Assembly, would establish the death penalty for the intentional murder of a police officer, peace officer or an employee of the Department of Correctional Services. On June 24, 2004 (see) the Court of Appeals overturned death penalty sentences, saying that judges were improperly required to instruct jurors in capital cases that if they deadlocked and failed to reach a verdict during the penalty phase of a trial, the judge would impose a sentence that would leave the defendant eligible for parole after 20 to 25 years. This bill addresses those concerns with respect to the murder of a police officer, peace officer, or correctional officer by mandating the sentence of life without parole if the jury is deadlocked and unable to agree on the death penalty sentence.