02/23/2000 01:47 PM Senate JUD

                                                                                                                                
         SB 268-MANDATORY 99-YEAR TERM OF IMPRISONMENT                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DONLEY, sponsor of SB 268, read the following sponsor                                                                   
statement:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Senate Bill 268 will require those convicted of murder in the                                                              
     first degree to be sentenced to a mandatory term of                                                                        
     imprisonment of 99 years when the defendant convicted of a                                                                 
     murder personally caused the death of a person, other than a                                                               
     participant, during a robbery.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     SB 268 is in direct response to the recent increase in murders                                                             
     of late night restaurant workers and taxi drivers and was                                                                  
     introduced at the request of the Alaska Hospitality                                                                        
     Association.  A clear message needs to be sent to would be                                                                 
     robbers who believe it necessary to take another life during                                                               
     a robbery.  Any such action is not going to be tolerated by                                                                
     the people of Alaska.  The lives of our mothers, daughters,                                                                
     sons and fathers who work these late shifts are too precious                                                               
     for us to stand idly by and watch as this trend continues.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Senate Bill 268 will add this new standard to three existing                                                               
     provisions of law that also require the mandatory 99 year                                                                  
     sentence when:                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
          *    The defendant is convicted of the murder of a                                                                    
               uniformed or otherwise clearly identified peace                                                                  
               officer, fire fighter or correctional employee who                                                               
               was performing professional duties at the time of                                                                
               the murder;                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
          *    The defendant has been previously convicted of a                                                                 
               murder in the first degree; or                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
          *    The court finds clear and convincing evidence that                                                               
               the defendant subjected the victim to substantial                                                                
               physical torture.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DONLEY said by brutally taking lives during robberies these                                                             
offenders have demonstrated their wanton disregard for life.  Such                                                              
people need to know their evil actions will have serious                                                                        
consequences.  SB 268 sends a clear message to potential future                                                                 
robbers not to kill.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS. KAREN ROGINA, Alaska Restaurant and Beverage Assn., stated she                                                              
supports SB 268.  Two restaurant employees have been killed in the                                                              
last two months and she feels this legislation will be a deterrent.                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HALFORD moved SB 268 out of committee with individual                                                                   
recommendations.  There being no objection, the motion carried.