WA SB5267

Allows the death penalty to be sought for aggravated first degree murder committed by a person already serving a term of incarceration

Requires prosecuting attorneys to submit such cases to a death penalty review panel before pursuing capital punishment

Establishes a death penalty review panel consisting of four prosecuting attorneys (with equal urban/rural representation), the attorney general or designee, the secretary of corrections or designee, and the local prosecuting attorney as an ad hoc member

Panel must consider mitigating circumstances, whether the death penalty serves retribution and deterrence goals, and fairness/consistency in the criminal justice system before making its recommendation

Notice of special sentencing proceedings must be filed within 30 days of arraignment, and defendants cannot plead guilty to aggravated first degree murder or lesser offenses during this period without prosecutor consent