Meanwhile, it’s still permissible in 39 U.S. states.View Story
Although the controversial legal strategy has been condemned by groups like the American Bar Association, 39 states currently allow criminal defendants to exploit the deceased’s LGBTQ+ identity to seek a reduced sentence. According to the Movement Advancement Project, just California, New York, Illinois, Nevada, Washington, Maine, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Colorado have taken action to outlaw the panic defense.
But on Tuesday, the Council of the District of Columbia elected to add the nation’s capital to that list, making it the first U.S. city to do so, according to MAP. All 13 members of the council voted in favor of the legislation.
DC Council passes hate crimes omnibus bill, bans gay and trans “panic” defenses
Bill expands types of crimes that can be prosecuted, and allows D.C. s Attorney General to seek civil damages for hate crimes
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Councilmember and Judiciary Chair Charles Allen – Photo: Facebook.
On Tuesday, the D.C. Council unanimously approved a hate crimes omnibus bill that strengthens the District’s ability to protect residents from hate crimes, and bans the use of gay or trans “panic” defense as a justification for a perpetrator’s violent acts.
The bill is known as the “Bella Evangelista and Tony Hunter Panic Defense Prohibition and Hate Crimes Response Amendment Act of 2020.”