DAY ONE

10 reasons to impose the death penalty

State law specifies 10 aggravating factors that allow a prosecutor to seek the death penalty:

One

The killer has a previous conviction for murder, rape, armed robbery or kidnapping with bodily injury.

Two

The murder involved rape, armed robbery, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated battery, burglary, first-degree arson or a second murder.

Three

The killer knowingly risked the lives of more than one person in a public place.

Four

The motive was to receive money or something of monetary value.

Five

The killer murdered a judge or prosecutor.

Six

The killer ordered someone else to commit murder, or murdered someone at the direction of another person.

Seven

The murder was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible, or inhuman in that it involved torture, depravity or aggravated battery.

Eight

The killer murdered a peace officer, corrections employee or firefighter while on duty.

Nine

The killer was in police custody or imprisoned, or had escaped from custody.

Ten

The murder was committed to avoid arrest or imprisonment.