[archy]

Why does the article state that "life in prison" is the maximum penalty even though the murder occured in Texas?

I used to live in Texas, and it is my understanding that the death penalty is only imposed for Capitol Murder, i.e. murder occuring during the commission of another crime, or murder of more than one person. I hope some Texan will correct me if I'm wrong, as I moved away in 1982. Some of the early articles implied that the prosecuter would also charge her with kidnapping, thereby opening her up to a Capitol Murder charge.

The following crimes are Capital Murder in Texas:

murder of a public safety officer or firefighter;

murder during the commission of kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, or obstruction or retaliation;

murder for remuneration;

murder during prison escape;

murder of a correctional employee;

murder by a state prison inmate who is serving a life sentence for any of five offenses (murder, capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, or aggravated robbery);

multiple murders;

murder of an individual under six years of age.

-archy-/-

[Don Joe]

The following crimes are Capital Murder in Texas:

murder of a public safety officer or firefighter;

murder during the commission of kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson, or obstruction or retaliation;

We have a winner!