Death penalty bill amended

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Friday, May 23, 2003 | 10:08 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday amended one of the remaining death penalty reform measures to address concerns of prosecutors.

The change affects Assembly Bill 16, which allows a person sentenced to death to request post-conviction DNA testing if the genetic marker information is related to the case.

The panel accepted an amendment from the Clark County district attorney's office that removes the original bill's immediate remedy for a person whose DNA test creates questions about guilt.

The amendment simply restates existing law allowing a defendant to bring a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence.