GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 626

Short Title:  Jury Instructions/Life Sentences.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Rhyne; and Stam.
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Referred to:  Judiciary.
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March 15, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT CONCERNING JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON LIFE SENTENCES IN CAPITAL CASES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 15-176.4 is repealed.
Sec. 2.  Chapter 15 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 15-176.6 Instructions to jury in capital cases.
At any proceeding to determine punishment for a capital felony conviction, the court shall instruct the jury that if the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment, he might be required to serve all the remainder of his life in prison, or that he might at some time become eligible for parole, as current law provides, but that the jury should not speculate on any factors which might shorten a sentence."
Sec. 3.  This act shall become effective October 1, 1989, and shall apply to all such trials occurring on or after that date.