18 March 2010 :

Senate kills bill SB 472 to extend death penalty to home invasion cases. The Senate voted 14-10 today to send back for more detailed study a bill to apply the death penalty in home invasion murder cases. The bill was a response to the October murder of Kimberly Cates and the machete attack on her 11-year-old daughter in their Mont Vernon home. Democrats turned back Republican efforts to pass the bill, SB 472, on a straight party-line vote to study it through the summer. The move effectively kills the bill for this legislative session. Democrats argued that a commission is still examining all aspects of the state's death penalty laws, so changing the laws at this time would be premature. Sen. Sheila Roberge, R-Bedford, sponsor of SB 472, urged the Senate to act. Sen. Deborah Reynolds, D-Plymouth, chair of the Judiciary Committee, said she has recommended the death penalty study group, which will report in December, consider the bill as part of its work. (see also June 10, 2009).