HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3981

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

House Bill No. 777

AN ACT concerning

Life Sentence - Jury Instructions -
"Truth-in-Sentencing"

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a judge from giving a certain
instruction to the jury when a life sentence is being
considered; and generally relating to jury instructions for
defendants with possible life sentences.

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 413A

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Replacement Volume and 1985 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

413A.

A JUDGE MAY NOT INSTRUCT THE JURY THAT THE JURY MUST ASSUME
THAT A SENTENCE FOR LIFE IMPRISONMENT IS FOR THE NATURAL LIFE OF
THE DEFENDANT.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1986.

May 27, 1986
The Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland
Constitution, I have today vetoed House Bill 786.