AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ State lawmakers are considering bills to change the state death penalty and alter procedures in capital felony cases.
One proposal before a state House committee Tuesday would create a commission to study capital punishment and suspend the death sentence until it completes its study.
The committee will also hear testimony on a proposal to amend state law to allow defendants to have separate trials if both are being tried for a capital felony.
A statute known as the law of parties allows a person to be tried for a capital offense and possibly face the death penalty even if they didn’t physically commit the crime. The bill authored by state Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, would prohibit death sentences in such cases.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)