By a vote of 104-37, members of the Texas House of Representatives tentatively approved the sentencing option of life-without-parole in death penalty cases, an historic action that puts the state closer to including a sentencing alternative offered in nearly every death penalty state. The House is expected to give final passage to the measure on May 25 and the Texas Senate, which passed similar legislation earlier this year, is expected to approve an amended measure before sending the bill to Governor Rick Perry for possible signature into law.

The new life-without-parole law would eliminate the current sentencing option of life with the possibility of parole in 40 years in death cases and replace it with the no-parole alternative. Senator Eddie Lucio, one of the chief sponsors of the legislation, commented: “I commend the House for its overwhelming acknowledgement that Texas juries deserve this option for the safety of society.” Lucio’s original bill gave jurors three choices— death, life with parole, and life without parole—but the parole option was dropped. (Houston Chronicle, May 25, 2005). See Life Without Parole.