USA - Louisiana. House panel backs expansion of death penalty.

House panel backs expansion of death penalty. The Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice voted 14-1 in favor of House Bill 278 that would expand the application of the death penalty. Under the new bill, the killing of a prison worker would become a capital crime. First degree murder already covers the deaths of firemen, peace officers, Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory civilian employees, taxi drivers, young children and the elderly. The legislation now moves to the full House for debate. The bill’s sponsors are Rep Kenneth E. Havard and Rep Major Thibaut, Jr.