Should we expand the death penalty statute again?

Under New Hampshire’s capital punishment law, the death penalty can be sought in cases involving the murder of police and court officers, judges, murders for hire, and/or murders connected to drug deals, rape, kidnapping and home invasions.

HB 1706 expands the statute to include:

(h) Another under circumstances that are especially heinous, cruel, or depraved or that involve torture or serious physical abuse to the victim; or

(i) More than one person while engaged in the commission of or attempting to commit any criminal act.

The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee recommended the full House kill this bill because of its vague nature:

“We decided that the language was very subjective,” Rep. Elaine Swinford, R-Center Barnstead, chairwoman of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee told the Union Leader. “It would have put an undue burden on prosecutors and the attorney general.”

Did the House committee make the right decision?