South Carolina General Assembly
116th Session, 2005-2006

Download This Version in Microsoft Word format

Bill 3159


Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-45 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MUST BE EXECUTED WITHIN THIRTY DAYS WHEN THE SENTENCING JUDGE CERTIFIES THAT HE IS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE PERSON COMMITTED THE CRIME OF MURDER, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE TERM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO A PERSON'S ADMISSION OR CONFESSION OF GUILT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 3, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-3-45.    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person must be executed within thirty days after being sentenced to death when the sentencing judge certifies that he is absolutely certain that the person committed the crime of murder. The term absolutely certain includes but is not limited to a person's admission or confession of guilt."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:18 P.M.