Assembly Judiciary Committee recommends passage of death case bill

The Nevada Assembly Judiciary Committee voted today to raise the minimum age for imposition of the death penalty to 18.

AB6 by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, says that anyone who committed a murder when under age 18 is not eligible for the death penalty. Existing law in Nevada sets the minimum at 16.

All but one member of the committee voted to send the bill to the Assembly floor with a do-pass recommendation. Sharron Angle, R-Reno, abstained on the vote.

The quick vote came after the U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled applying the death penalty to those who committed their crime before turning 18 as unconstitutional.

Legislative Counsel Bureau Director Lorne Malkiewich said after that decision the legislation was probably necessary just to bring Nevada law into conformance with the Supreme Court decision.

The Assembly is expected to pass the legislation quickly and send it to the Senate.

Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.