Juneau -- Tuesday, the Alaska Senate, with unanimous bipartisan support, passed legislation increasing the sentence for murders committed during robberies. Senate Bill 268, sponsored by Senator Dave Donley at the request of the Alaska Hospitality Alliance (an Alliance of the Alaska Hotel & Motel Association and the Restaurant & Beverage Association), would require a mandatory 99 year sentence for a person who is convicted of a murder in the first degree that occurred under the specified circumstances.

"The recent spate of murders of restaurant workers and taxi drivers has to be stopped," said Senator Donley. "It is unacceptable that these murderers could serve as few as 14 years in prison, after good time is deducted, for such senseless and horrifying murders. To murder a defenseless person in order to facilitate the crime of robbery is heinously evil and an especially serious danger to society," continued Senator Donley.

Senate Bill 268 would add this new sentencing standard to three existing provisions of law authored by Senator Donley in 1990 that also require the mandatory 99 year sentence (AS 12.55.125). That law required the mandatory 99 year sentence for those convicted of murder in the first degree when they took the life of a uniformed or clearly identified peace officer, fire fighter or correctional employee; have previously been convicted of first degree murder; or if the murderer subjected the victim to substantial physical torture.

"SB 268 will be a valuable tool in deterring these heinous crimes," said Donley. "These murderers need to know that they will pay a high price for their horrific crime and that Alaskans are not going to tolerate their actions. Alaskans should not have to be afraid to work to support themselves and their families. I am confident most Alaskans will agree with me that making these criminals serve a mandatory 99 years in prison is a reasonable price and a strong deterrent for such violent and despicable acts," stated Senator Donley.

SB 268 moves to the House for consideration.

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= Dave Donley, 87 K