Capital murder is a specific murder charge that not only includes all the elements of 1st degree murder, but it also includes an “aggravating factor.”
California has 13 aggravating factors that can make a first degree murder case a capital case.
Review the following link: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/aggravating-factor…
Look closely at California’s list of aggravating factors. Choose three and briefly describe them.
Then choose one other state and compare their list of aggravating factors to those of California. What are some differences you see between the two states, what similarities exist?
Are there any aggravating factors that you would add or subtract from California’s list? Why?