(1) The sentencing court or the court’s successor shall consider recommendations from the indeterminate sentence review board for resentencing offenders convicted of murder if the indeterminate sentence review board advises the court of the following:

(a) The offender was convicted for a murder committed prior to July 23, 1989;

(b) RCW 9.94A.535(1)(h), if effective when the offender committed the crime, would have provided a basis for the offender to seek a mitigated sentence; and

(c) Upon review of the sentence, the indeterminate sentence review board believes that the sentencing court, when originally sentencing the offender for the murder, did not consider evidence that the victim subjected the offender or the offender’s children to a continuing pattern of sexual or physical abuse and the murder was in response to that abuse.

(2) The court may resentence the offender in light of RCW 9.94A.535(1)(h) and impose an exceptional mitigating sentence pursuant to that provision. Prior to resentencing, the court shall consider any other recommendation and evidence concerning the issue of whether the offender committed the crime in response to abuse.

(3) The court shall render its decision regarding reducing the inmate’s sentence no later than six months after receipt of the indeterminate sentence review board’s recommendation to reduce the sentence imposed.

Technical correction bill—2000 c 28: See note following RCW 9.94A.015.

Effective date—1993 c 144: See note following RCW 9.95.045.