Introduced Version






HOUSE BILL No. 1255

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: IC 33-9; IC 33-17-2-1 ; IC 34-39-3-1 ; IC 35-36; IC 35-37; IC 35-38-4-6 ; IC 35-38-6; IC 35-50-2.

Synopsis: Elimination of death penalty. Abolishes the death penalty. Specifies that if a person was sentenced to death and is awaiting execution of the death sentence, the person's death sentence is commuted to a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. Makes conforming amendments.

Effective: Upon passage.





Smith V, Brown C




    January 13, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Policy, Ethics and Veterans Affairs.







Introduced

First Regular Session 113th General Assembly (2003)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2002 Regular or Special Session of the General Assembly.

HOUSE BILL No. 1255



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 33-9-13-3; (03)IN1255.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 33-9-13-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 3. (a) The commission shall do the following:
        (1) Make recommendations to the supreme court of Indiana concerning standards for indigent defense services provided for defendants against whom the state has sought the death sentence under IC 35-50-2-9, including the following:
            (A) Determining indigency and eligibility for legal representation.
            (B) Selection and qualifications of attorneys to represent indigent defendants at public expense.
            (C) Determining conflicts of interest.
            (D) Investigative, clerical, and other support services necessary to provide adequate legal representation.
        (2) (1) Adopt guidelines and standards for indigent defense services under which the counties will be eligible for reimbursement under IC 33-9-14 , including but not limited to the

following:
            (A) Determining indigency and the eligibility for legal representation.
            (B) The issuance and enforcement of orders requiring the defendant to pay for the costs of court appointed legal representation under IC 33-9-11.5.
            (C) The use and expenditure of funds in the county supplemental public defender services fund established by IC 33-9-11.5.
            (D) Qualifications of attorneys to represent indigent defendants at public expense.
            (E) Compensation rates for salaried, contractual, and assigned counsel.
            (F) Minimum and maximum caseloads of public defender offices and contract attorneys.
        (3) (2) Make recommendations concerning the delivery of indigent defense services in Indiana.
        (4) (3) Make an annual report to the governor, the general assembly, and the supreme court on the operation of the public defense fund.

SOURCE: IC 33-9-14-4; (03)IN1255.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. IC 33-9-14-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 4. (a) A county auditor may submit on a quarterly basis a certified request to the public defender commission for reimbursement from the public defense fund for an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the county's expenditures for indigent defense services provided to a defendant against whom the death sentence is sought under IC 35-50-2-9.
    (b) (a) A county auditor may submit on a quarterly basis a certified request to the public defender commission for reimbursement from the public defense fund for an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of the county's expenditures for indigent defense services provided in all noncapital cases except misdemeanors.
    (c) (b) A request under this section from a county described in IC 33-9-15-1 (3) may be limited to expenditures for indigent defense services provided by a particular division of a court.
SOURCE: IC 33-9-14-5; (03)IN1255.1.3. -->     SECTION 3. IC 33-9-14-5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided under section 6 of this chapter, upon certification by a county auditor and a determination by the public defender commission that the request is in compliance with the guidelines and standards set by the commission, the commission shall quarterly authorize an amount of reimbursement due the county that is equal to fifty percent (50%) of the

county's certified expenditures for indigent defense services provided for a defendant against whom the death sentence is sought under IC 35-50-2-9, and that is equal to forty percent (40%) of the county's certified expenditures for defense services provided in non-capital all cases except misdemeanors. The state court administrator shall then certify to the auditor of state the amount of reimbursement owed to a county under this chapter.
    (b) Upon receiving certification from the state court administrator, the auditor of state shall issue a warrant to the treasurer of state for disbursement to the county of the amount certified.

SOURCE: IC 33-9-14-6; (03)IN1255.1.4. -->     SECTION 4. IC 33-9-14-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 6. If the public defense fund would be reduced below two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) by payment in full of all county reimbursement for net expenditures in non-capital cases for defense services that is certified by the state court administrator in any quarter, the commission shall suspend payment of reimbursement to counties in non-capital cases for defense services until the next semiannual deposit in the public defense fund. At the end of the suspension period, the state court administrator shall certify all suspended reimbursement. If the public defense fund would be reduced below two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) by payment in full of all suspended reimbursement in non-capital cases, for defense services, the amount certified by the state court administrator for each county entitled to reimbursement shall be prorated.
SOURCE: IC 33-9-15-10.5; (03)IN1255.1.5. -->     SECTION 5. IC 33-9-15-10.5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 10.5. (a) A county public defender board shall submit a written request for reimbursement to the county auditor. The request must set forth the total of the county's expenditures for indigent defense services to the county auditor and may be limited in a county described in section 1(3) of this chapter to expenditures for indigent defense services provided by a particular division of a court. The county auditor shall review the request and certify the total of the county's expenditures for indigent defense services to the public defender commission.
    (b) Upon certification by the public defender commission that the county's indigent defense services meet the commission's standards, the auditor of state shall issue a warrant to the treasurer of state for disbursement to the county of a sum equal to forty percent (40%) of the county's certified expenditures for indigent defense services provided in noncapital all cases except misdemeanors.
    (c) If a county's indigent defense services fail to meet the standards

adopted by the public defender commission, the commission shall notify the county public defender board and the county fiscal body of the failure to comply with the commission's standards. Unless the county public defender board corrects the deficiencies to comply with the standards not more than ninety (90) days after the date of the notice, the county's eligibility for reimbursement from the public defense fund terminates at the close of that fiscal year.

SOURCE: IC 33-17-2-1; (03)IN1255.1.6. -->     SECTION 6. IC 33-17-2-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1. (a) The clerk shall endorse, on each writing required to be filed in his office, the time when it was filed.
    (b) The clerk shall carefully preserve in his office all records and writings pertaining to his official duties.
    (c) The clerk shall procure, at the expense of the county, all necessary judges' appearance, bar, judgment, and execution dockets, order books, and final record books.
    (d) The clerk shall attend, in person or by deputy, the circuit court of the county, and enter in proper record books all orders, judgments, and decrees of that court.
    (e) Within fifteen (15) days after the cases are finally determined, the clerk shall enter in final record books a complete record of:
        (1) all cases involving the title to land;
        (2) all criminal cases in which the punishment is death or imprisonment, except where a nolle prosequi is entered or an acquittal is had; and
        (3) all other cases, at the request of either party and upon payment of the costs.
SOURCE: IC 34-39-3-1; (03)IN1255.1.7. -->     SECTION 7. IC 34-39-3-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1. (a) Evidence of a final judgment that:
        (1) is entered after a trial or upon a plea of guilty; and
        (2) adjudges a person guilty of a crime punishable by death or imprisonment of more than one (1) year;
shall be admissible in a civil action to prove any fact essential to sustaining the judgment, and is not excluded from admission as hearsay regardless of whether the declarant is available as a witness.
    (b) The pendency of an appeal may be shown but does not affect the admissibility of evidence under this section.
SOURCE: IC 35-36-2-5; (03)IN1255.1.8. -->     SECTION 8. IC 35-36-2-5 , AS AMENDED BY P.L.215-2001, SECTION 108, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided by subsection (e), whenever a defendant is found guilty but mentally ill at

the time of the crime or enters a plea to that effect that is accepted by the court, the court shall sentence the defendant in the same manner as a defendant found guilty of the offense.
    (b) Before sentencing the defendant under subsection (a), the court shall require the defendant to be evaluated by a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 who practices psychiatric medicine, a licensed psychologist, or a community mental health center (as defined in IC 12-7-2-38 ). However, the court may waive this requirement if the defendant was evaluated by a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 who practices psychiatric medicine, a licensed psychologist, or a community mental health center and the evaluation is contained in the record of the defendant's trial or plea agreement hearing.
    (c) If a defendant who is found guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime is committed to the department of correction, the defendant shall be further evaluated and then treated in such a manner as is psychiatrically indicated for the defendant's mental illness. Treatment may be provided by:
        (1) the department of correction; or
        (2) the division of mental health and addiction after transfer under IC 11-10-4.
    (d) If a defendant who is found guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime is placed on probation, the court may, in accordance with IC 35-38-2-2.3 , require that the defendant undergo treatment.
    (e) As used in this subsection, "mentally retarded individual" has the meaning set forth in IC 35-36-9-2. If a court determines under IC 35-36-9 that a defendant who is charged with a murder for which the state seeks a death sentence of life imprisonment without parole is a mentally retarded individual, the court shall sentence the defendant under IC 35-50-2-3 (a).

SOURCE: IC 35-36-9-1; (03)IN1255.1.9. -->     SECTION 9. IC 35-36-9-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1. This chapter applies when a defendant is charged with a murder for which the state seeks a death sentence of life imprisonment without parole under IC 35-50-2-9.
SOURCE: IC 35-36-9-6; (03)IN1255.1.10. -->     SECTION 10. IC 35-36-9-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 6. If the court determines that the defendant is a mentally retarded individual under section 5 of this chapter, the part of the state's charging instrument filed under IC 35-50-2-9 (a) that seeks a death sentence of life imprisonment without parole against the defendant shall be dismissed.
SOURCE: IC 35-37-1-3; (03)IN1255.1.11. -->     SECTION 11. IC 35-37-1-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS

FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 3. (a) In prosecutions for murder where the death penalty is sought, the defendant may challenge, peremptorily, twenty (20) jurors.
    (b) (a) In prosecutions for murder, where the death penalty is not sought, and Class A, Class B, or Class C felonies, the defendant may challenge, peremptorily, ten (10) jurors.
    (c) (b) In prosecutions for all other crimes, the defendant may challenge, peremptorily, five (5) jurors.
    (d) (c) When several defendants are tried together, they must join in their challenges.

SOURCE: IC 35-37-1-5; (03)IN1255.1.12. -->     SECTION 12. IC 35-37-1-5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 5. (a) The following are good causes for challenge to any person called as a juror in any criminal trial:
        (1) That the person was a member of the grand jury that found the indictment.
        (2) That the person has formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant. However, such an opinion is subject to subsection (b).
        (3) If the state is seeking a death sentence, that the person entertains such conscientious opinions as would preclude the person from recommending that the death penalty be imposed.
        (4) (3) That the person is related within the fifth degree to the person alleged to be the victim of the offense charged, to the person on whose complaint the prosecution was instituted, or to the defendant.
        (5) (4) That the person has served on a trial jury which was sworn in the same case against the same defendant, and which jury was discharged after hearing the evidence, or rendered a verdict which was set aside.
        (6) (5) That the person served as a juror in a civil case brought against the defendant for the same act.
        (7) (6) That the person has been subpoenaed in good faith as a witness in the case.
        (8) (7) That the person is a mentally incompetent person.
        (9) (8) That the person is an alien.
        (10) (9) That the person has been called to sit on the jury at the person's own solicitation or that of another.
        (11) (10) That the person is biased or prejudiced for or against the defendant.
        (12) (11) That the person does not have the qualifications for a juror prescribed by law.
        (13) (12) That, from defective sight or hearing, ignorance of the English language, or other cause, the person is unable to comprehend the evidence and the instructions of the court.
        (14) (13) That the person has a personal interest in the result of the trial.
        (15) (14) If the person is not a member of the regular panel, that the person has served on a jury within twelve (12) months immediately preceding the trial.
    (b) If a person called as a juror states that the person has formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant, the court or the parties shall proceed to examine the juror on oath as to the grounds of the juror's opinion. If the juror's opinion appears to have been founded upon reading newspaper statements, communications, comments, reports, rumors, or hearsay, and if:
        (1) the juror's opinion appears not to have been founded upon:
            (A) conversation with a witness of the transaction;
            (B) reading reports of a witness' testimony; or
            (C) hearing a witness testify;
        (2) the juror states on oath that the juror feels able, notwithstanding the juror's opinion, to render an impartial verdict upon the law and evidence; and
        (3) the court is satisfied that the juror will render an impartial verdict;
the court may admit the juror as competent to serve in the case.
SOURCE: IC 35-37-5-6; (03)IN1255.1.13. -->     SECTION 13. IC 35-37-5-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 6. (a) If a judge of a court of record in any other state, which by its laws has made provision for commanding a prisoner within that state to attend and testify in this state, certifies under the seal of the court that:
        (1) there is a criminal prosecution pending in such court or that a grand jury investigation has commenced;
        (2) a person confined by the department of correction (other than a person awaiting execution of a sentence of death) is a material witness in such prosecution or investigation; and
        (3) his presence is required for a specified number of days;
a judge of a court with jurisdiction to try felony cases in the county where the person is confined, after notice to the attorney general, shall fix a time and place for a hearing and shall order the person having custody of the prisoner to produce him at the hearing.
    (b) If at such hearing the judge determines that the prisoner is a material and necessary witness in the requesting state, the judge shall issue an order directing that the prisoner attend the court where the

prosecution or investigation is pending, upon such terms and conditions as the judge prescribes, including:
        (1) provision for the return of the prisoner at the conclusion of his testimony;
        (2) proper safeguards on his custody; and
        (3) proper financial reimbursement or other payment by the demanding jurisdiction for all expenses incurred in the production and return of the prisoner.
    (c) The attorney general is authorized to enter into agreements with authorities of the demanding jurisdiction to insure ensure proper compliance with the order of the court.
    (d) If:
        (1) a criminal action is pending in a court of record of this state by reason of the filing of an indictment or affidavit or by reason of the commencement of a grand jury proceeding or investigation;
        (2) there is reasonable cause to believe that a person confined in a correctional institution or prison of another state (other than a person awaiting execution of a sentence of death or one confined as mentally ill) possesses information material to such criminal action;
        (3) the attendance of such person as a witness in such action is desired by a party; and
        (4) the state in which such person is confined possesses a statute equivalent to this section;
a judge of the court in which such action is pending may issue a certificate certifying all such facts and that the attendance of such person as a witness in such court is required for a specified number of days. Such a certificate may be issued upon application of either the state or defendant demonstrating all the facts specified in this section.
    (e) Upon issuing such a certificate, the court may deliver it to a court of such other state which, pursuant to the laws thereof, is authorized to undertake legal action for the delivery of such prisoners to this state as witnesses.

SOURCE: IC 35-38-4-6; (03)IN1255.1.14. -->     SECTION 14. IC 35-38-4-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 6. (a) An appeal to the supreme court or to the court of appeals from a judgment of conviction does not stay the execution of the sentence, unless
        (1) the punishment is to be death; or
        (2) the judgment is for a fine and costs only, in which case the execution of the sentence may be stayed by an order of the court.
    (b) If the punishment is to be imprisonment and a fine and costs, the execution of the sentence as to the fine and costs only may be stayed by

the court.
    (c) In the case of an appeal from a judgment in a capital case, the order of suspension must specify the day until which the execution of the sentence is stayed.

SOURCE: IC 35-50-2-3; (03)IN1255.1.15. -->     SECTION 15. IC 35-50-2-3 , AS AMENDED BY P.L.117-2002, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 3. (a) A person who commits murder shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of fifty-five (55) years, with not more than ten (10) years added for aggravating circumstances or not more than ten (10) years subtracted for mitigating circumstances; in addition, the person may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
    (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a person who was:
        (1) at least eighteen (18) sixteen (16) years of age at the time the murder was committed may be sentenced to
            (A) death; or
            (B) life imprisonment without parole and
        (2) at least sixteen (16) years of age but less than eighteen (18) years of age at the time the murder was committed may be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole;
under section 9 of this chapter unless a court determines under IC 35-36-9 that the person is a mentally retarded individual.
SOURCE: IC 35-50-2-9; (03)IN1255.1.16. -->     SECTION 16. IC 35-50-2-9 , AS AMENDED BY P.L.117-2002, SECTION 2, IS AMENDED AND CORRECTED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 9. (a) The state may seek either a death sentence or a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for murder by alleging, on a page separate from the rest of the charging instrument, the existence of at least one (1) of the aggravating circumstances listed in subsection (b). In the sentencing hearing after a person is convicted of murder, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of at least one (1) of the aggravating circumstances alleged. However, the state may not proceed against a defendant under this section if a court determines at a pretrial hearing under IC 35-36-9 that the defendant is a mentally retarded individual.
    (b) The aggravating circumstances are as follows:
        (1) The defendant committed the murder by intentionally killing the victim while committing or attempting to commit any of the following:
            (A) Arson (IC 35-43-1-1).
            (B) Burglary (IC 35-43-2-1).
            (C) Child molesting (IC 35-42-4-3).
            (D) Criminal deviate conduct (IC 35-42-4-2).
            (E) Kidnapping (IC 35-42-3-2).
            (F) Rape (IC 35-42-4-1).
            (G) Robbery (IC 35-42-5-1).
            (H) Carjacking (IC 35-42-5-2).
            (I) Criminal gang activity (IC 35-45-9-3).
            (J) Dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug (IC 35-48-4-1).
        (2) The defendant committed the murder by the unlawful detonation of an explosive with intent to injure person or damage property.
        (3) The defendant committed the murder by lying in wait.
        (4) The defendant who committed the murder was hired to kill.
        (5) The defendant committed the murder by hiring another person to kill.
        (6) The victim of the murder was a corrections employee, probation officer, parole officer, community corrections worker, home detention officer, fireman, judge, or law enforcement officer, and either:
            (A) the victim was acting in the course of duty; or
            (B) the murder was motivated by an act the victim performed while acting in the course of duty.
        (7) The defendant has been convicted of another murder.
        (8) The defendant has committed another murder, at any time, regardless of whether the defendant has been convicted of that other murder.
        (9) The defendant was:
            (A) under the custody of the department of correction;
            (B) under the custody of a county sheriff;
            (C) on probation after receiving a sentence for the commission of a felony; or
            (D) on parole;
        at the time the murder was committed.
        (10) The defendant dismembered the victim.
        (11) The defendant burned, mutilated, or tortured the victim while the victim was alive.
        (12) The victim of the murder was less than twelve (12) years of age.
        (13) The victim was a victim of any of the following offenses for which the defendant was convicted:
            (A) Battery as a Class D felony or as a Class C felony under IC 35-42-2-1.
            (B) Kidnapping (IC 35-42-3-2).
            (C) Criminal confinement (IC 35-42-3-3).
            (D) A sex crime under IC 35-42-4.
        (14) The victim of the murder was listed by the state or known by the defendant to be a witness against the defendant and the defendant committed the murder with the intent to prevent the person from testifying.
        (15) The defendant committed the murder by intentionally discharging a firearm (as defined in IC 35-47-1-5 ):
            (A) into an inhabited dwelling; or
            (B) from a vehicle.
        (16) The victim of the murder was pregnant and the murder resulted in the intentional killing of a fetus that has attained viability (as defined in IC 16-18-2-365 ).
    (c) The mitigating circumstances that may be considered under this section are as follows:
        (1) The defendant has no significant history of prior criminal conduct.
        (2) The defendant was under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance when the murder was committed.
        (3) The victim was a participant in or consented to the defendant's conduct.
        (4) The defendant was an accomplice in a murder committed by another person, and the defendant's participation was relatively minor.
        (5) The defendant acted under the substantial domination of another person.
        (6) The defendant's capacity to appreciate the criminality of the defendant's conduct or to conform that conduct to the requirements of law was substantially impaired as a result of mental disease or defect or of intoxication.
        (7) The defendant was less than eighteen (18) years of age at the time the murder was committed.
        (8) Any other circumstances appropriate for consideration.
    (d) If the defendant was convicted of murder in a jury trial, the jury shall reconvene for the sentencing hearing. If the trial was to the court, or the judgment was entered on a guilty plea, the court alone shall conduct the sentencing hearing. The jury or the court may consider all the evidence introduced at the trial stage of the proceedings, together with new evidence presented at the sentencing hearing. The court shall instruct the jury concerning the statutory penalties for murder and any other offenses for which the defendant was convicted, the potential for consecutive or concurrent sentencing, and the availability of good time credit and clemency. The court shall instruct the jury that, in order for

the jury to recommend to the court that the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole should be imposed, the jury must find at least one (1) aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt as described in subsection (k) (i) and shall provide a special verdict form for each aggravating circumstance alleged. The defendant may present any additional evidence relevant to:
        (1) the aggravating circumstances alleged; or
        (2) any of the mitigating circumstances listed in subsection (c).
    (e) For a defendant sentenced after June 30, 2002, except as provided by IC 35-36-9 , if the hearing is by jury, the jury shall recommend to the court whether the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole or neither should be imposed. The jury may recommend
        (1) the death penalty; or
        (2) life imprisonment without parole
only if it makes the findings described in subsection (k). (i). If the jury reaches a sentencing recommendation, the court shall sentence the defendant accordingly. After a court pronounces sentence, a representative of the victim's family and friends may present a statement regarding the impact of the crime on family and friends. The impact statement may be submitted in writing or given orally by the representative. The statement shall be given in the presence of the defendant.
    (f) If a jury is unable to agree on a sentence recommendation after reasonable deliberations, the court shall discharge the jury and proceed as if the hearing had been to the court alone.
    (g) If the hearing is to the court alone, except as provided by IC 35-36-9 , the court shall
        (1) sentence the defendant to death; or
        (2) impose a term of life imprisonment without parole
only if it makes the findings described in subsection (k). (i).
    (h) If a court sentences a defendant to death, the court shall order the defendant's execution to be carried out not later than one (1) year and one (1) day after the date the defendant was convicted. The supreme court has exclusive jurisdiction to stay the execution of a death sentence. If the supreme court stays the execution of a death sentence, the supreme court shall order a new date for the defendant's execution.
    (i) If a person sentenced to death by a court files a petition for post-conviction relief, the court, not later than ninety (90) days after the date the petition is filed, shall set a date to hold a hearing to consider the petition. If a court does not, within the ninety (90) day period, set the date to hold the hearing to consider the petition, the court's failure

to set the hearing date is not a basis for additional post-conviction relief. The attorney general shall answer the petition for post-conviction relief on behalf of the state. At the request of the attorney general, a prosecuting attorney shall assist the attorney general. The court shall enter written findings of fact and conclusions of law concerning the petition not later than ninety (90) days after the date the hearing concludes. However, if the court determines that the petition is without merit, the court may dismiss the petition within ninety (90) days without conducting a hearing under this subsection.
    (j) (h) A death sentence of life imprisonment without parole is subject to automatic review by the supreme court. The review, which shall be heard under rules adopted by the supreme court, shall be given priority over all other cases. The supreme court's review must take into consideration all claims that the:
        (1) conviction or sentence was in violation of the:
            (A) Constitution of the State of Indiana; or
            (B) Constitution of the United States;
        (2) sentencing court was without jurisdiction to impose a sentence; and
        (3) sentence:
            (A) exceeds the maximum sentence authorized by law; or
             (B) is otherwise erroneous.
If the supreme court cannot complete its review by the date set by the sentencing court for the defendant's execution under subsection (h), the supreme court shall stay the execution of the death sentence and set a new date to carry out the defendant's execution.
    (k) (i) Before a sentence may be imposed under this section, the jury, in a proceeding under subsection (e), or the court, in a proceeding under subsection (g), must find that:
        (1) the state has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that at least one (1) of the aggravating circumstances listed in subsection (b) exists; and
        (2) any mitigating circumstances that exist are outweighed by the aggravating circumstance or circumstances.

SOURCE: IC 35-38-6; (03)IN1255.1.17. -->     SECTION 17. IC 35-38-6 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE].
SOURCE: ; (03)IN1255.1.18. -->     SECTION 18. [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE] (a) If a person:
        (1) was sentenced to death before the effective date of this SECTION; and
        (2) is awaiting execution of the death sentence on the effective date of this SECTION;
the person's death sentence shall be commuted to a sentence of life

imprisonment without parole.
    (b) This SECTION expires July 1, 2006.

SOURCE: ; (03)IN1255.1.19. -->     SECTION 19. An emergency is declared for this act.