By Stephen Hunt
The Salt Lake Tribune
SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that aims to curb decades-long delays caused by death penalty appeals was unanimously passed from the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee on Wednesday.
HB202 now heads for the Senate floor. The bill had already passed the House with a vote of 67-5.
Sponsored by former 6th District Judge Kay McIff, R-Richfield, the bill would generally bar a court from issuing a temporary stay of execution following a defendant’s first post-conviction petition. The bill also would limit public funding of defense counsel after that first post-conviction petition has been rejected.
McIff said his bill is designed to discourage frivolous or untimely appeals while still allowing for claims based on new evidence, ineffective assistance of counsel or other issues with potential merit.
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