USA - Mississippi. Senate Bill 2223 adds terrorism to the list of crimes that could lead to the death penalty

Senate Bill 2223 adds terrorism to the list of crimes that could lead to the death penalty, if a victim is killed. The bill, 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. The bill's sponsor Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, said the definition of terrorism in the state law will mirror the definition in federal law. The House and Senate both passed the final version of the bill April 3. The House vote was 113-1, and the Senate vote was 52-0. "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.