TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas Senate committee is taking up proposed changes in the state’s murder statutes, including tougher penalties for attempted capital murder.
Bills before the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday are byproducts of a 2013 special session when legislators rewrote the procedure for imposing the “Hard 50” sentence for premeditated first-degree murder.
The new proposal would change the presumptive sentence for the crimes to a minimum of life without parole eligibility for 50 years, with juries weighing evidence that could reduce the sentence to a minimum of 25 years to life.
Legislators also will consider whether to increase the sentence for attempted capital murder to life without parole eligibility for 25 years, up from the current 12-year term.
