USA - Utah. Death penalty appeal limitation measure advances

Death penalty appeal limitation measure advances. A Senate committee narrowly approved a proposed constitutional amendment the streamline criminal appeals -- particularly in death penalty cases. SJR14 would allow the Legislature, rather than the courts, to limit the claims that could be considered in post-conviction relief petitions. The Senate Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee passed the proposal on a 4-3 vote and sent it to the full Senate for consideration. A 2/3 vote by state lawmakers is required to put the measure on the 2010 ballot.