Texas to consider death penalty option

DALLAS, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Some legislators want to give juries in Texas capital murder trials a new sentencing option in addition to death or life with eligibility for parole.

The bill authored by Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, would permit juries to sentence a convicted killer to life without the possibility of parole.

Lucio said it would create a new option for juries that don't want to use the death penalty or send a convicted killer to prison knowing parole is possible in 40 years.

Most of the other states with the death penalty have an option of life without the possibility of parole.

Keith Hampton, a spokesman for Texas defense lawyers, said some prosecutors oppose the legislation because they fear it would reduce their chance of winning death verdicts.

A spokesman for the Texas District and County Attorneys Association said the group has no position on the bill. He said prosecutors have mixed views on life without parole.