Crimes and offenses; list of capital offenses, further provided to include murder committed when the defendant knowingly creates a great risk to multiple persons

HB 20 would amend Alabama law to add a new capital offense: murder committed when the defendant knowingly creates a great risk of death to multiple people. This change would expand the list of capital murder charges (under Section 13A-5-40) and also add this scenario as an aggravating circumstance in sentencing hearings (under Section 13A-5-49). The bill directly affects defendants charged with murder who intentionally cause widespread danger to multiple victims, such as in mass casualty incidents. It does not change existing penalties but specifies that this new category must be considered in death penalty eligibility determinations. The bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee.