84R2843 MAW-D
By: Dutton H.B. No. 564
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the admissibility of certain evidence in capital cases
in which the state seeks the death penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended by adding Article 38.50 to read as follows:
Art. 38.50. EVIDENCE IN CERTAIN DEATH PENALTY CASES. (a)
This article applies only to a capital case in which the state seeks
the death penalty.
(b) Regardless of whether the testimony constitutes
sufficient corroboration under Article 38.14, testimony of an
informant or of an alleged accomplice of the defendant is not
admissible if the testimony is given in exchange for a grant or
promise by the attorney representing the state or by another of
immunity from prosecution, reduction of sentence, or any other form
of leniency or special treatment.
(c) A statement against interest made by the defendant to a
person who at the time of the alleged statement was in custody with
or imprisoned or confined with the defendant is admissible only if
the statement is corroborated by an electronic recording.
SECTION 2. Article 38.50, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
added by this Act, applies only to the admissibility of evidence in
a capital case in which the voir dire examination begins on or after
the effective date of this Act. A capital case in which the voir
dire examination begins before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect when the examination begins, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.