SB 838 - This act creates a nine member commission to study all aspects of the death penalty as administered in Missouri. The commission shall hold public hearings, and shall review voluntary manslaughter, murder in the second degree and murder in the first degree cases committed in or after 1977. Findings and recommendations of the commission shall be contained in a report to the Governor, the General Assembly and the Missouri Supreme Court by January 1, 2003. The commission shall recommend any changes to the death penalty laws needed to ensure adequacy of trial and appellate counsel, actual guilt of the defendant, elimination of race disparity, fair court procedures and that prosecuting attorneys utilize similar criteria throughout the state in determining whether to seek the death penalty.

No executions shall take place during the commission's period of review, between August 28, 2000 and January 1, 2003.
JOAN GUMMELS