Utility Worker Bill Revived in House

Updated: Thu 11:42 AM, Mar 07, 2013

A homicide that happened in the summer of 2012 in Clarke County led to a bill being filed to make killing a utility worker while performing the duties of his job
a capital offense. It died in committee.

But the author of that bill, state Rep. William Shirley, says the measure was attached Thursday to Senate Bill 2377, which passed the House 116-1.

The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration of the House changes.

SB 2377 seeks to amend state law to create a distinction in the seriousness of murder charges to first- and second-degree.

The idea for making the murder of a utility worker on the job a capital offense grew from the death of EMEPA worker, Nathan Baker. He was killed on the job in Clarke County, allegedly by Keith Davis, after Baker arrived to turn off Davis' electricity for non-payment.