More of the typical knee-jerk reactions. This man was a known sex offender and the victims family knew it as well. No amount of laws will prevent this type of crime from ever occurring, never, but, it's good to get politicians brownie points to look good to the people, and someone can get their child's name attached to a bill so they can become another John Walsh and make millions by exploiting their child's death!
01/01/2010
By Laura D'Alessandro
As residents rally cause online, lawmakers prepare for Assembly discussion on sex offender laws
SALISBURY -- Lower Shore legislators are ready to discuss tightening sex offender laws in the upcoming session.
After a registered sex offender was charged with the kidnapping of an 11-year-old Salisbury girl, legislators said they've been flooded with correspondence from constituents.
The search for Sarah Haley Foxwell, whose body was found near Delmar on Christmas Day, garnered support from thousands of community members who continue to rally behind her memory through groups on the Internet networking Web site Facebook. Two online petitions have been created asking for a "Sarah's Law," a Maryland sex offender law like the 2006 Jessica's Law that the state adopted two years ago, imposing mandatory minimum sentencing without parole for certain sexual offenders.
Maryland's sex offender laws don't apply a blanket penalty; punishment varies depending on the child's age and the offense.
- And this is how it should be. We do not make cookie cutter laws for any other crime, so why start now? Treating all sex offenders as if they are child killers is just plain wrong!
Lower Shore legislators aren't sure yet what changes to make, but they're sure the discussion will happen. Three bills have already been filed by Upper Shore Delegate Mike Smigiel, R-Cecil. Meanwhile, Lower Shore residents are forwarding concerns directly to their state representatives.
"I have been inundated with requests, both e-mails and some phone calls," said state Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus (Email), R-38-Somerset. "I feel certain we will be looking at that during the next legislative session."
Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester County delegates said the law needs to be tightened and they're currently researching how. Jim Mathias, D-38B-Worcester, said he's recently requested information comparing Maryland's law with that of other states.
"There is a strong interest on the part of the public to make our laws as strong as they can be to prohibit this type of crime," Mathias said. "I am going to work with the delegates on the Shore and within the House and, hopefully, find support within the Senate to move this forward. Whatever 'this' is remains to be seen."
Mathias said sentencing and registration need to be combed through. Delegate Norman Conway, D-38B-Wicomico, said he's more concerned with punishment and is even considering bringing the death penalty into the conversation, though he's sure it will bring some heat to the debate.
"Of course, I have a different opinion on the death penalty than a lot of people do -- I support it," he said. "I think (sex offense) is the kind of action that is just totally unacceptable. I feel very strong that it is an applicable sentence."
Conway also said legislators will likely take another look at Jessica's Law. Delegate Page Elmore, R-38A-Wicomico, said he hopes the state can take Jessica's Law and tighten the bill, which he recalled as hard to pass through. Elmore also wants to take another look at the registry.
"I think we've got to come up with a better way of making certain who the sex offenders are and where they are living," he said. "If they're living in Delaware, then Maryland needs to know. We've got to look at how we can maximize the knowledge."
- The person who committed this crime, you KNEW where they lived and everyone KNEW he was a sex offender, so what would more laws do that isn't done now?
While legislators seem focused on what happens after a sex offender is convicted, Lisae Jordan, legal counsel for the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Maryland Children Alliance (Contact), said the conviction process is really what needs to be under scrutiny.
"The sex offender registry and punishment for sex offenders won't do us any good unless we can get convictions," she said. "To create strong cases against sex offenders, we need to devote more resources to child advocacy centers and trained law enforcement and prosecutors and we need to give juries the ability to consider whether a defendant has a pattern and practice of molesting children."
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