It's been awhile since I have updated this blog. That is not to say that the fight hasn't been ongoing.
This has been an important year for the victim's of these crimes, and it is probably only going to grow in media attention and the need to fight back.
The Supreme Court ruling excluded murderers in this round. We fully expect the lobby that supports releasing these murderers, to go back to the Supreme Court in the near future with a murder case. We will need to be prepared to fight back for the justice we were promised.
In Pennsylvania and California, members of the National Organization of Victim's of Juvenile Lifer's, along with others, testified against Bills in both states that would abolish LWOP sentences for those under 18 and also, allow the courts to re-traumatize the victim's of past crimes by offering parole hearings and potential freedom to the perpetrators. This is a cruel concept that would torture the victim's of these crimes more than they have already suffered. I'll post my testimony for the Pa. State Legislature here as well.
As the fight continues, I'm seeking more families who have been victim to these crimes. I would like to continue our victim's series by adding more posts that put a human face on the victims themselves. All too often in the debate, the humans no longer on this earth are ignored, which is unfair and unacceptable.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Supreme Court Rules on Juvenile Live Without Parole
Good Morning,
The ruling from the Supreme Court came down this morning on the constitutionality of Juvenile Life Without Parole for non-homicide offenders. The court has ruled that those serving these sentences can not be held for life, it is cruel and unusual punishment. As such, this is now not permissible.
The ramifications of that for those of us whose loved ones were murdered by Juveniles are none. The murderer's of our family members, can and will serve Life Without Parole, and are not included in this decision. All indications are that even criminals such as the 70+ impacted by this ruling will continue to serve long and just sentences.
I'd like to thank the Court for ruling on this in the manner that they did. The very thought of reliving my sister's murder or having to trudge back in to court on a regular basis for parole hearings is absolutely inconceivable to me at this point.
While I feel like the PA legislature will now move forward with their own bills on the subject, at least this chapter of the law is closed on the subject for now. If you listen you will hear me breathe a huge sigh of relief, and then transition to thoughts of how to approach the PA Legislature as a next step....
Take Care...
The ruling from the Supreme Court came down this morning on the constitutionality of Juvenile Life Without Parole for non-homicide offenders. The court has ruled that those serving these sentences can not be held for life, it is cruel and unusual punishment. As such, this is now not permissible.
The ramifications of that for those of us whose loved ones were murdered by Juveniles are none. The murderer's of our family members, can and will serve Life Without Parole, and are not included in this decision. All indications are that even criminals such as the 70+ impacted by this ruling will continue to serve long and just sentences.
I'd like to thank the Court for ruling on this in the manner that they did. The very thought of reliving my sister's murder or having to trudge back in to court on a regular basis for parole hearings is absolutely inconceivable to me at this point.
While I feel like the PA legislature will now move forward with their own bills on the subject, at least this chapter of the law is closed on the subject for now. If you listen you will hear me breathe a huge sigh of relief, and then transition to thoughts of how to approach the PA Legislature as a next step....
Take Care...
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Spring....
As Spring has arrived, things are coming back from their dormant winter state. INcluded in these spring 'things' unfortunately, is the looming decision by the Supreme Court regarding Juvenile Life WIthout Parole. Here in Pennsylvania, the decision this past week to sentence Jordan Brown as an adult at 12 years old, just fuels the fire. I am not fit to have an opinion about whether that is right or wrong(i am not a psychiatrist), however, a 12 year old is the rare exception to the actual issue at hand.
Unfortunately, the very real truth about this subject is that some people, are not meant to walk among us on this earth. To allow them to do so is to put all of society in jeopardy. There is such a thing as evil, and some of these so called 'poor, innocent, children' who didn't know what they were doing are among them.
Today is Easter, every holiday is a somber day for someone who has lost a family member to violence, knowing you will not be celebrating these times with that person. Grappling with the reality that another human being took them from this world. Even after 17 years, I remember my last Easter with my sister and my Mom, who knew it would be the last...
I leave you today with a news/video clip from Chicago, regarding the upcoming decision and the exact type of 'evil' I am speaking of in this post. Enjoy the holiday, hug your loved ones, and pray for the victims of violence who couldn't be with us today...
Bishop Family Remembers 20 years later
Unfortunately, the very real truth about this subject is that some people, are not meant to walk among us on this earth. To allow them to do so is to put all of society in jeopardy. There is such a thing as evil, and some of these so called 'poor, innocent, children' who didn't know what they were doing are among them.
Today is Easter, every holiday is a somber day for someone who has lost a family member to violence, knowing you will not be celebrating these times with that person. Grappling with the reality that another human being took them from this world. Even after 17 years, I remember my last Easter with my sister and my Mom, who knew it would be the last...
I leave you today with a news/video clip from Chicago, regarding the upcoming decision and the exact type of 'evil' I am speaking of in this post. Enjoy the holiday, hug your loved ones, and pray for the victims of violence who couldn't be with us today...
Bishop Family Remembers 20 years later
Friday, January 29, 2010
Arizona attempt to free convicted murderers defeated!
Parents of Murdered Childrenwww.POMC.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release January 28, 2010
Contact: Nancy Ruhe, Parents of Murdered Children 888-818-POMC
Dan Levey, cell 602-509-8672
Jennifer Bishop Jenkins, NOVJL, 847-446-7073
HB2525 Pulled in Arizona,
Facing Certain Legislative Defeat:A Very Bad Bill for Victims of Violent Crime, Public Safety, and the Rule of Law
(Phoenix) Victims of violent crime, victims’ advocates, legal experts, and those concerned for public safety celebrated today the defeat of HB 2525 in the Arizona Legislature. It was pulled from a committee vote in anticipation of its certain defeat. The National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Lifers (NOVJL) and Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) issued this joint statement about this very bad legislation:
“HB 2525 would have retroactively granted parole opportunities to offenders, most of whom are extremely violent murderers, sentenced to natural life without the possibility of parole. Anti-incarceration and pro-offender activists in several states lately have been attempting this approach to prison reform – trying to re-sentence offenders sentenced to natural life through legislation. This proposal was not only horribly re-traumatizing for victims of violent crime, and very bad public policy, for the obvious public safety reasons, and would have freed potentially some of the most violent and heinous criminals in the history of the state of Arizona; but would also pose a serious legal question of fairness. With witnesses dead, or gone, memories faded, evidence long lost, records not saved, etc – how could a fair parole hearing process ever have been possible? These offenders were sentenced to natural life. For the most part, they are there because they killed people – violent, horrible deaths. They were duly and appropriately sentenced to natural life, and that is the sentence they should serve. Prison reform activists should focus their efforts on non-violent criminals and better programs for offenders who will someday be released.”
The victims groups were particularly happy to see the prompt defeat of this legislation because it hammers home the most important point of all: offender and prison reform advocates should not be retroactively proposing parole for natural life sentences. Arizona is only the latest state where this has been attempted. Others include Illinois, California, Michigan, and several others. All have utterly failed legislatively. Clearly legislators all over the nation realize not only what a bad idea this for victims, for public safety and for law enforcement, but also how unconstitutional and legally unfair it is.
Victims groups stated that the bill would have violated the following highlighted portions of the Arizona Constitution’s provisions for victims’ rights:
2.1. Victims' bill of rights
Section 2.1. (A) To preserve and protect victims' rights to justice and due process, a victim of crime has a right:
1. To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse, throughout the criminal justice process.
2. To be informed, upon request, when the accused or convicted person is released from custody or has escaped.
3. To be present at and, upon request, to be informed of all criminal proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present.
4. To be heard at any proceeding involving a post-arrest release decision, a negotiated plea, and sentencing.
5. To refuse an interview, deposition, or other discovery request by the defendant, the defendant's attorney, or other person acting on behalf of the defendant.
6. To confer with the prosecution, after the crime against the victim has been charged, before trial or before any disposition of the case and to be informed of the disposition.
7. To read pre-sentence reports relating to the crime against the victim when they are available to the defendant.
8. To receive prompt restitution from the person or persons convicted of the criminal conduct that caused the victim's loss or injury.
9. To be heard at any proceeding when any post-conviction release from confinement is being considered.
10. To a speedy trial or disposition and prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction and sentence.
###
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release January 28, 2010
Contact: Nancy Ruhe, Parents of Murdered Children 888-818-POMC
Dan Levey, cell 602-509-8672
Jennifer Bishop Jenkins, NOVJL, 847-446-7073
HB2525 Pulled in Arizona,
Facing Certain Legislative Defeat:A Very Bad Bill for Victims of Violent Crime, Public Safety, and the Rule of Law
(Phoenix) Victims of violent crime, victims’ advocates, legal experts, and those concerned for public safety celebrated today the defeat of HB 2525 in the Arizona Legislature. It was pulled from a committee vote in anticipation of its certain defeat. The National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Lifers (NOVJL) and Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) issued this joint statement about this very bad legislation:
“HB 2525 would have retroactively granted parole opportunities to offenders, most of whom are extremely violent murderers, sentenced to natural life without the possibility of parole. Anti-incarceration and pro-offender activists in several states lately have been attempting this approach to prison reform – trying to re-sentence offenders sentenced to natural life through legislation. This proposal was not only horribly re-traumatizing for victims of violent crime, and very bad public policy, for the obvious public safety reasons, and would have freed potentially some of the most violent and heinous criminals in the history of the state of Arizona; but would also pose a serious legal question of fairness. With witnesses dead, or gone, memories faded, evidence long lost, records not saved, etc – how could a fair parole hearing process ever have been possible? These offenders were sentenced to natural life. For the most part, they are there because they killed people – violent, horrible deaths. They were duly and appropriately sentenced to natural life, and that is the sentence they should serve. Prison reform activists should focus their efforts on non-violent criminals and better programs for offenders who will someday be released.”
The victims groups were particularly happy to see the prompt defeat of this legislation because it hammers home the most important point of all: offender and prison reform advocates should not be retroactively proposing parole for natural life sentences. Arizona is only the latest state where this has been attempted. Others include Illinois, California, Michigan, and several others. All have utterly failed legislatively. Clearly legislators all over the nation realize not only what a bad idea this for victims, for public safety and for law enforcement, but also how unconstitutional and legally unfair it is.
Victims groups stated that the bill would have violated the following highlighted portions of the Arizona Constitution’s provisions for victims’ rights:
2.1. Victims' bill of rights
Section 2.1. (A) To preserve and protect victims' rights to justice and due process, a victim of crime has a right:
1. To be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, or abuse, throughout the criminal justice process.
2. To be informed, upon request, when the accused or convicted person is released from custody or has escaped.
3. To be present at and, upon request, to be informed of all criminal proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present.
4. To be heard at any proceeding involving a post-arrest release decision, a negotiated plea, and sentencing.
5. To refuse an interview, deposition, or other discovery request by the defendant, the defendant's attorney, or other person acting on behalf of the defendant.
6. To confer with the prosecution, after the crime against the victim has been charged, before trial or before any disposition of the case and to be informed of the disposition.
7. To read pre-sentence reports relating to the crime against the victim when they are available to the defendant.
8. To receive prompt restitution from the person or persons convicted of the criminal conduct that caused the victim's loss or injury.
9. To be heard at any proceeding when any post-conviction release from confinement is being considered.
10. To a speedy trial or disposition and prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction and sentence.
###
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