Texas Lawmakers OK Life Without Parole Bill

Texas Governor to Consider Bill Allowing Life in Prison Without Parole After State Senate Passage

A bill that would give jurors in the No. 1 death penalty state the option of sentencing murderers to life in prison without parole is headed to the governor's desk.
The state Senate on Saturday approved the measure on a 25-6 vote. Republican Gov. Rick Perry has said the issue was ripe for debate among lawmakers but has not indicated whether he would sign the measure into law or veto it.
Death penalty opponents hope the proposal reduces the number of executions in Texas. They have argued that prosecutors use the prospect that a killer will someday be back out on the streets to scare juries into issuing more death sentences.