Delaware Bill Creates New Crime Of Home Invasion - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

Delaware Bill Creates New Crime Of Home Invasion

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state House has given final approval to a bill creating the new crime of home invasion in Delaware. House members on Thursday voted unanimously for the bill, which had been amended by the Senate. Under the bill, a person who unlawfully enters an occupied home and robs, assaults, rapes, kills or kidnaps someone could also be convicted of the separate crime of home invasion if he is armed with a deadly weapon or injures someone.

Under the Senate amendment approved by the House, an offender would not have to know or suspect someone was home at the time of the unlawful entry in order to be found guilty of home invasion. The bill, which now goes to the governor, was favored over a Senate proposal that carried stiffer penalties.

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