Post by Logan on Feb 18, 2016 4:26:52 GMT -6
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would give convicted criminals a chance to request a new trial based on newly discovered non-DNA evidence.
Senate File 51 is a revival of a similar bill that passed both Legislative chambers in 2014, but failed in a conference committee at the eleventh hour.
In addition to allowing for a new trial on non-DNA evidence, the bill also provides for up to $500,000 in compensation for those who are eventually freed, for both DNA and non-DNA evidence.
Several committee members said they would prefer to see SF 51 go through the interim study process before being heard by the full Senate, but ultimately members voted 3-2 to allow the bill to proceed to the Senate floor.
Read more: www.wyomingnews.com/news/new-senate-committee-approves-actual-innocence-bill/article_d27fb4d2-d5a0-11e5-ae5b-e7bf00c1fd69.html
Senate File 51 is a revival of a similar bill that passed both Legislative chambers in 2014, but failed in a conference committee at the eleventh hour.
In addition to allowing for a new trial on non-DNA evidence, the bill also provides for up to $500,000 in compensation for those who are eventually freed, for both DNA and non-DNA evidence.
Several committee members said they would prefer to see SF 51 go through the interim study process before being heard by the full Senate, but ultimately members voted 3-2 to allow the bill to proceed to the Senate floor.
Read more: www.wyomingnews.com/news/new-senate-committee-approves-actual-innocence-bill/article_d27fb4d2-d5a0-11e5-ae5b-e7bf00c1fd69.html