MO HB2596

Adds a new requirement for Missouri Supreme Court review of death sentences to determine whether race was a significant factor in the decision to seek or impose the death penalty in the county, judicial circuit, or state

Creates new Section 565.044 prohibiting any person from being sentenced to death or executed under a judgment sought or obtained on the basis of race

Allows defendants charged with first-degree murder to file pre-trial motions claiming racial considerations played a significant part in seeking the death penalty, and permits defendants already sentenced to death to file motions to set aside their sentences on racial grounds

Permits use of statistical evidence, sworn testimony from attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement, and jurors, and data showing disproportionate death penalty imposition by race or racial factors in peremptory jury challenges

Requires courts finding race was a significant factor to either prohibit seeking the death penalty or vacate the death sentence and resentence the defendant to life imprisonment without parole