[freedox]

What's the penalty for kidnapping, as opposed to murder?

[Devil_Anse]

What's the penalty for kidnapping, as opposed to murder?

Are you kidding? You know you can get the death penalty for murder--but not for kidnapping, to my knowledge. I don't know the Utah statutes, but you can guarantee a sentence for murder would be much worse than one for kidnapping. Not to mention that, believe it or not, some cons are actually concerned about their "image" and would rather be "known" for a less heartless crime.

[FR_addict]

Utah Law:
76-5-302. Aggravated kidnapping.

(1) An actor commits aggravated kidnapping if the actor, in the course of committing unlawful detention or kidnapping:
(a) possesses, uses, or threatens to use a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 76-1-601; or
(b) acts with intent:
...
(iv) to inflict bodily injury on or to terrorize the victim or another;
......
(3) Aggravated kidnapping is a first degree felony punishable by imprisonment for an indeterminate term of not less than 6, 10, or 15 years and which may be for life. Imprisonment is mandatory in accordance with Section 76-3-406.


76-5-202. Aggravated murder.

(1) Criminal homicide constitutes aggravated murder if the actor intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another under any of the following circumstances:
...
aggravated arson, arson, aggravated burglary, burglary, aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping, or child kidnapping;
...
(2) Aggravated murder is a capital felony.
...