08 February 2018 :

Alabama House votes to make murder in front of child a capital offense. The House passed a bill that could make the murder of a spouse in the presence of their child a capital offense and toughen sentencing for other non-homicide domestic violence offenses when committed in the presence of a child. The bills’ sponsor, Rep. Phillip Pettus, R, said the bills are intended to deter any domestic violence in the presence of a child. The bill approved today adds killing someone "with knowledge of the presence of a child under the age of 14 years," to the list of crimes for which someone could receive the death penalty. The victim would have to be the parent or legal guardian of the child. Lawmakers approved the bill on a 77-17 vote. The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate.