MO SB1186

Amends Section 565.030, RSMo, governing jury instructions in first-degree murder trials where the death penalty has not been waived

Removes "or death" from the jury instruction language regarding what punishment the court shall assess if the jury is unable to decide or agree upon punishment

Under current law, juries are instructed that if they cannot agree on punishment, the court may assess either life imprisonment without parole or death; this change limits the court to only life imprisonment without eligibility for probation, parole, or release except by act of the governor

Retains all existing provisions for the two-stage trial process, consideration of aggravating and mitigating circumstances, and protections for intellectually disabled defendants