USA - Montana. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-5 in favor of SB 185 replacing the death penalty with life in prison without the possibility of parole

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-5 in favor of SB 185 replacing the death penalty with life in prison without the possibility of parole. Senate Bill 185 gained the support of two key Republicans, Sen. Jim Shockley and Sen. Greg Hinkle. The bill will now go to the Senate floor. SB 185 was sponsored by Sen. David Wanzenried, D-Missoula. A similar measure passed the Senate last session but was tabled in a House committee (see March 30, 2009). Wanzenried hopes this bill will pass, despite Republican majorities in the House and Senate.