§ 21-701.9. Punishment for murder.  


Latest version.
  • A.  A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to murder in the first degree shall be punished by death, by imprisonment for life without parole or by imprisonment for life.  A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to murder in the first degree, as described in subsection E of Section 701.7 of this title, shall not be entitled to or afforded the benefit of deferment of the sentence.

    B.  A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to murder in the second degree shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in a state penal institution for not less than ten (10) years nor more than life.

Added by Laws 1976, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 1, § 3, eff. July 24, 1976.  Amended by Laws 1987, c. 96, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1987; Laws 1997, c. 133, § 233, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 137, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 2004, c. 520, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.

Note

NOTE:  Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 233 from July 1, 1998 to July 1, 1999.