Capital Murder
RSA 630:1 Capital Murder, is the only crime for which people can be executed in the state. A person is guilty of capital murder if he knowingly causes the death of:
- A sheriff or deputy sheriff, state trooper, constable or police officer of a city or town, correctional officer, probation-parole officer, conservation officer, judge or similar person, state or local prosecutor acting in the line of duty or in retaliation for their job.
- Another before, after, while engaged or attempting to commit a kidnapping as defined by RSA 633:1.
- Another after conspiring with another to commit a contract killing.
- Another after being sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
- Another before, after, while engaged or attempting to commit aggravated felonious sexual assault, as defined in RSA 632-A:2.
- Another before, after, while engaged or attempting to commit an offense punishable under RSA 318-B:26, I(a) or (b) of the Controlled Drug Act.
Since the state's last execution of Howard Long on July 14, 1939, there have been eight people charged with capital murder. Three were convicted, but received a mandatory life imprisonment without parole sentence. In three other cases, capital murder charges were resolved before trial, twice because the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled the law totally unconstitutional.
Read more about this topic: Capital Punishment In New Hampshire
Famous quotes containing the words capital and/or murder:
“Had I made capital on my prettiness, I should have closed the doors of public employment to women for many a year, by the very means which now makes them weak, underpaid competitors in the great workshop of the world.”
—Jane Grey Swisshelm (1815–1884)
“One murder made a villain,
Millions a hero.”
—Beilby Porteus (1731–1808)