Texas to consider death penalty option

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A bill was pre-filed in the Texas Legislature Monday that would give the state's juries the option of a life sentence without parole in capital cases.

Currently, Texas juries can only sentence a convicted killer to life in prison or death. A person sentenced to life may become eligible for parole after serving 40 years.

Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownville, said his bill would provide a new option for juries who don't want to sentence a defendant to death, but oppose early parole.

"This bill should in no way alter the death penalty, but it will ensure safer streets and justice for the victims of crime and their families," he said.

Lucio said the proposed law would not create a new class of prisoners more prone to violence with no hope of parole. He cited a 15-year study in Missouri that found no difference.

Currently, 46 states offer life-without-parole as a sentencing option. Nearly all of the 38 states that allow the death penalty offer life-without-parole as an option.

Lucio has offered the bill for the past three sessions of the Texas Legislature without success.