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House Judiciary Committee reports two bills to abolish the death penalty
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee reported two separate measures—House Bill 99 and House Bill 888—to abolish the death penalty and make life without parole the maximum sentence; both passed committee votes 14–12 after members offered sharply divergent arguments about system errors, exonerations and aggravating crimes.
The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday reported two bills that would abolish capital punishment in the Commonwealth, sending both measures to the floor after 14–12 committee votes.
Representative Raab introduced House Bill 99, describing it as a long-standing effort to eliminate a punishment he called "irreversible" and "expensive," and citing the 25-year wrongful incarceration and eventual exoneration of Jimmy Dennis as a central reason for repeal. "There are no take backs here," he said, urging colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the bill.
Committee counsel explained HB99 would delete death-penalty provisions from Titles 18, 42 and 61, make life in prison the Commonwealth's most severe penalty, and apply only to defendants not yet sentenced; the counsel said the bill would take effect in 60 days and that there were no amendments.
Opponents, led by Representative Bonner, urged retention of capital punishment for certain aggravating circumstances — for example, large-scale terrorist attacks, mass murders, killings on public transportation or the murder of law enforcement or judges. Bonner, who described his experience as a prosecutor, said the death penalty remains an appropriate tool in "the most heinous murders." "In a circumstance like this, this legislation would eliminate the death penalty from the outset," he said.
Representative Pieli said his views changed after encountering wrongful convictions and DNA exonerations, and that the possibility of executing an innocent person makes the system irreparably flawed. "It is a flawed system," Pieli said.
Representative Diamond offered similar arguments in support of House Bill 888, framing abolition as both a conservative moral stance and a fiscal issue; he cited a 2016 estimate that pursuing death-penalty cases cost substantially more than seeking life sentences.
Counsel told the committee HB888 likewise would apply only to defendants not yet sentenced and would take effect in 60 days. After brief additional comments and roll calls, the committee recorded 14 votes in favor and 12 against each bill and announced both would be reported as committed.
What happens next: Both bills move to the full House for consideration. The committee did not attach floor amendments; counsel said the measures take effect 60 days after enactment.
Votes at committee: HB99 reported 14–12; HB888 reported 14–12.
