in criminal cases, particularly homicides, actions of the accused or the situation
under which the crime was committed for which state statutes allow or require imposition
of a more severe punishment. "Special circumstances" in murder cases may well result
in the imposition of the death penalty for murder (in states with capital punishment)
or life sentence without possibility of parole. Such circumstances may include rape,
kidnapping or maiming prior to the killing, multiple deaths, killing a police officer
or prison guard, or actions showing wanton disregard for life, such as throwing
a bomb into a restaurant.
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