WIBQ, "Marsy's Law Approved by Illinois House"

Friday, February 10, 2012 8:54 a.m. EST

Illinois State CapitolThe Illinois House overwhelmingly voted 116-2 in favor of Marsy’s Law for Illinois, a constitutional amendment that would provide victims of crime with enforceable legal rights that will protect their safety and ensure they are aware of their attackers’ whereabouts. Currently, crime victims have legal rights under Illinois law, but they are not enforceable.  For example, victims are guaranteed the right to be informed of court proceedings, but some victims never learn about hearings until after the fact.

Marsy’s Law for Illinois, sponsored by Representative Lou Lang, would make the laws enforceable by giving crime victims the right to go to court and ask that the right they were denied be enforced.  Lang, who introduced Marsy’s Law for Illinois said, “Today, crime victims are one step closer to having the common sense legal rights they deserve. Victims should feel safe in their own community and be informed about cases involving their attackers. I am pleased that my House colleagues agree.”

Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, Director of Marsy's Law for Illinois, said “We applaud the Illinois House members for standing up for victims of crimes and their families. The aftermath of a violent crime is an extremely traumatic experience, especially when victims fear for their safety around their own neighborhood. This amendment would ensure that victims and their families are informed about legal proceedings and the whereabouts of criminal offenders and we are grateful that House members support those rights.”

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Huffington Post, "Universal Day of Human Rights -- Implementing Its Ideals"

Supporters of Marys's Law in California and victims' rights everywhere take note: December 10th was International Human Rights Day recognizing the United Nations' adoption 63 years ago of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The Declaration was established in the aftermath of World War II and, for the first time, delineated rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. The 30 articles contained in the Declaration have since been codified in laws and treaties worldwide. The rights proclaim that all are equal before the law, entitled to equal protection of the law, and have the right to effective remedies for violations of fundamental liberties. In 1976, the International Bill of Human Rights, which includes the Declaration and other documents, became international law. To mark this year's anniversary, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights hosted a global conversation on human rights. - HTN Foundation

Universal Day of Human Rights -- Implementing Its Ideals

Today I am going to take the liberty of using the precious space I have on this screen to introduce you to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, because Saturday is the International Human Rights Day.

How many of us really know what the Declaration stands for? It was established in December of 1948, at the end of an eventful year during which Gandhi was assassinated while on a fast-unto-death protest in Delhi, Warner Brothers showed its first color reel, the pillars of NATO were set to restrain the Soviet Union, the Supreme Court ruled (in McCollum v. Board of Education) that religious instruction in Private Schools violates the US Constitution, Harry Truman signed the Marshal Plan, and the Arab-Israeli conflict escalated to the 1948 war that drove the Egyptians from the Negev and began the exodus of Jewish people from Arab lands into Israel.

It was a tumultuous year that came on the heels of a world war that pitted hemispheres against each other and placed ideologies at odds with one another. The winner would be measured by the burden of human bloodshed.

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ABC/KGO-TV, "Victim's rights groups get thousands from inmates"

Marsy's Law expands the rights of crime victims in California to restitution, adding to the impact of restitution laws already on the books. One law passed in 1990 requires inmates to turn over 20% of the money they earn at prison jobs to victims of crime. After paying the restitution, the remainder of their earnings goes to community organizations. This year, prisoners earning minimum wage assembling medical supplies at San Quentin State Prison collected $38,000 in restitution payments, which meant that seven victims' rights organizations each received checks of $4,500. - HTN Foundation

Victim's rights groups get thousands from inmates

SAN QUENTIN, Calif. (KGO) -- Several victim's rights organizations received checks for thousands of dollars Monday straight from the paychecks of inmates.

he prisoners earn minimum wage assembling medical supplies at San Quentin State Prison. A law passed by voters in 1990 requires that 20 percent of their salaries be given to victims of crime. Once the inmate pays restitution, the excess goes to community organizations.

"It has to be used for direct services to crime victims, things such as emergency shelter, food, transportation," explained Chris Jacobs with the Prison Industry Authority.

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OC Register, "Her words brought a courtroom to tears"

AJ Egan's husband was killed in 2007 in a botched robbery at the Home Depot in Tustin where he was the manager. Nearly five years later, Egan says she found closure in delivering a victim-impact statement that the prosecutor called one of the most eloquent and articulate ever in Orange County. After hearing her speak, the judge agreed with jurors and sentenced Jason Richardson to death in the murder of Tom Egan. AJ Egan was exercising her right under Marsy's Law to speak during sentencing.  "That chapter of my life is finished and I hope to move forward into a new chapter," she said. - HTN Foundation

Her words brought a courtroom to tears

By LARRY WELBORN / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

AJ Egan, the widow of Thomas Egan, talks to the media after the sentencing of Jason Russell Richardson in Santa Ana on Nov. 28. Richardson was convicted of the special circumstances murder of Tustin Home Depot manager Thomas Egan. Richardson received the death penalty. PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTERAJ Egan worked on her victim-impact statement for years.

When she was done telling Superior Court Judge William Froeberg about the enormity of the impact her husband's murder in 2007 had on herself and her family, spectators were crying.

It was one of the most eloquent and articulate victim statements in an Orange County courtroom, Deputy District Attorney Cameron Talley said. To read her remarks, click here.

She was entitled to give her remarks under Marsy's Law, which guarantees victims and their families the right to speak during sentencings and at other appropriate times during the legal proceedings.

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The Daily Record (Ohio), "Bill would require victims be informed"

Under newly introduced Ohio legislation, prosecutors would be required to inform crime victims and their families in advance of perpetrators' parole hearings. Senate Bill 160, known as Roberta's Law, in memory of a young girl who was raped and stabbed to death, would require notification regardless of whether they are requested, which is what current law requires. The notification would have to take place 60 days before the hearing. - HTN Foundation

Bill would require victims be informed

November 25, 2011 By MARC KOVAC Dix Capital Bureau COLUMBUS -- Prosecutors would be required to inform crime victims and their families in advance of their perpetrators' parole hearings, under legislation introduced in the Ohio Senate. Senate Bill 160 has been titled Roberta's Law, in memory of a young girl who was raped and stabbed to death. "In spite of the fact that she was a victim of such a heinous crime, her family was not notified when her assailant was paroled," said Sen. Kevin Bacon, a Republican from Columbus. "... Her father read it in the newspaper that he was being paroled. As such, Roberta's father was never afforded the opportunity to speak at his parole hearing."

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