An Act To Improve the Definition of "Strangulation" in the Aggravated Assault Laws
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §208, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2015, c. 358, §1, is further amended to read:
C. Bodily injury to another under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, the number, location or nature of the injuries, the manner or method inflicted, the observable physical condition of the victim or the use of strangulation. For the purpose of this paragraph, "strangulation" means the intentional impeding of the breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the person's throat or neck. Violation of this paragraph is a Class B crime.
summary
This bill removes the requirement that the act of strangulation has to be intentional in order to be considered aggravated assault.