Senate applies 99-year sentences to robbery slayings

JUNEAU (AP) -- People convicted of committing first-degree murder during a robbery would face mandatory 99-year prison sentences under a bill the Senate passed unanimously Tuesday.

Sen. Dave Donley said he proposed the measure in response to recent slayings of taxi drivers and late-night restaurant workers.

Donley, R-Anchorage, said the taxi and restaurant industries asked for the bill as a way to protect their employees. Donley said he hopes the long sentence will deter some would-be robbers from killing their victims.

The 99-year sentence already applies to murderers of police officers, multiple murderers, and murderers who torture their victims.

The bill passed now goes to the House.