The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 8-5 to exempt...

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 8-5 to exempt the mentally retarded from Alabama's death penalty law. The bill now goes to the Senate, where senators on both sides predicted it will cause lots of debate if it comes to a vote. If the bill passes the Senate, it would have to win approval in the House and be signed by the governor to become law. The bill's sponsor is Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma.