Cuccinelli takes principled, but risky, stand against the Triggerman Rule.

Despite being a supporter of the death penalty, yesterday Sen.Cuccinelli was the only Republican in the Senate to vote against the repeal of the 'triggerman' rule. This rule requires that the state prove the defendant was the triggerman in a murder, as opposed to the driver.

Cuccinelli explained his opposition to the Washington Post, "This would be the biggest expansion since we began utilizing [capital punishment] since 1976." He went on to say, "More than anything else, it will catch people in a robbery gone bad."

The Sponsor of the Bill, Sen. Mark D. Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) claims that his bill would still require prosecutors to prove that the accomplice had the same intent to kill as the person who pulled the trigger.

This could be a risky vote for Cuccinelli who is running for Attorney General. In fact his primary opponents are already using it against him. On his website, John Brownlee points out that the triggerman Rule prevents prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against an accomplice to a violent murder.

For now at least Cuccinelli is considered the front runner in the race for Attorney General, but we will see if this vote hurts him.