A Utah lawmaker who led the push to bring back the firing squad is proposing a mandatory death penalty for anyone who targets and kills a police officer.
The Deseret News reports that Clearfield Republican Rep. Paul Ray says he's drafting legislation that would require prosecutors to seek capital punishment if an officer dies in a targeted attack.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill says the idea could be problematic, possibly forcing a trial even if a case falls apart or disregarding the wishes of a victim's family.
Ray has previously proposed legislation that would allow the state to execute criminals convicted of child sex trafficking.
Utah lawmakers approved using the firing squad as a backup execution method if lethal drugs aren't available last year.
