« The will of the uninformed | Main | A bit ghoulish.... »
Arizona legislative moves
The morning paper reports that the House voted out SB 1166, which makes retroactive changes to self-defense legislation (basically shifting the burden to the prosecution once the defense puts on some credible evidence of self-defense).
It also passed a bill establishing a volunteer militia that can be called up by the governor in times when the Nat'l Guard is called into federal service.
Comments
voted out? rejected? approved and sent on to the senate? Huh?
Posted by: straightarrow at April 24, 2007 04:20 PM
Give the man a break! The pess wasn't clear on that point!
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/179839
Self-defense
Reversing course with SB 1166, the House voted Monday to try to retroactively apply a 2006 law to give additional legal protections to those charged with crimes.
The law until last April said anyone who claims self-defense must prove that to a jury. The new law turns that around, saying prosecutors must prove a defendant did not act in self-defense.
Arizona courts have ruled that change applies only to crimes committed after the law took effect last April. That did not include Harold Fish, who shot a hiker in Coconino County in 2004. A jury did not accept his argument of self-defense and found him guilty of murder.
Militia
On a 34-21 vote the House voted to create a state militia that could be used by the governor in time of emergency.
Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, said the militia would provide a backup in case the Arizona National Guard was placed under the president's control, as is allowed under a 2006 federal law. SB 1132, which already has been approved by the Senate, exempts this all-volunteer militia from federalization.
Posted by: Don Hamrick at April 24, 2007 05:03 PM
DH, I wasn't bustin' his chops, I just wanted to know what they did, and I didn't so I asked. Sheesh, give me a break.
Posted by: straightarrow at April 25, 2007 12:06 PM
Oh, and thanks for the explanation.
Posted by: straightarrow at April 25, 2007 12:06 PM