Capital Punishment in Louisiana - Capital Offenses

Capital Offenses

• Treason against the state of Louisiana.
• First degree murder:
  • The murder was committed during the commission of, attempt of, or escape from a specified felony (aggravated kidnapping, second degree kidnapping, aggravated escape, aggravated arson, aggravated rape, forcible rape, aggravated burglary, armed robbery, assault by drive-by shooting, first degree robbery, second degree robbery, simple robbery, terrorism, cruelty to juveniles, or second degree cruelty to juveniles).
  • The victim was a firefighter or peace officer engaged in his or her lawful duties.
  • The offender has a specific intent to kill or to inflict great bodily harm upon more than one person.
  • The murder was committed for pecuniary gain or pursuant to an agreement that the defendant would receive something of value.
  • The victim was under the age of 12 years.
  • The victim was 65 years or older.
  • The murder was committed during an illegal drug deal.
  • The murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in "ritualistic acts".
  • The murder was committed while the defendant was the subject of a restraining order protecting the victim.
  • The murder was committed upon a victim who was a witness to a crime or was a member of the immediate family of a witness to a crime committed on a prior occasion.