Rep. Bresnahan introduces legislation to protect correctional officers
WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., on Wednesday introduced Eric’s Law — legislation designed to strengthen protections for our nation’s correctional officers and deliver justice for those who commit violent acts against them.
“Eric’s Law is a necessary step to ensure justice is not denied due to a single juror’s bias,” said Rep. Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township. “The tragic murder of Officer Eric Williams highlights the extreme risks our correctional officers face every day. This bill will give prosecutors the ability to seek a second jury to ensure those who commit heinous crimes against law enforcement can be brought to justice. On the anniversary of his death, I am proud to honor Officer Eric Williams’ sacrifice and ensure the safety of those who serve our country in the line of duty.”
Rep. Bresnahan introduced the legislation alongside his Pennsylvania colleagues, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson (PA-15) and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14).
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“Current law requires a unanimous decision by the jury to impose the death penalty,” Bresnahan said. “This bill permits prosecutors to impanel a second jury for sentencing if the first jury in a federal death penalty case fails to reach a unanimous decision on a sentence.”
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“I will never forget the judge repeatedly reminding the jury during the trial of my son’s murderer that ‘it only takes one vote against death penalty and the accused will automatically get a life sentence,’” said Don Williams. “And so the inmate who was already doing life for murder got another life sentence for killing my son. One person having the power to override 11 other jurors totally defeats the purpose of a jury. My family and I are grateful to Congressman Rob Bresnahan for introducing Eric’s Law which corrects that glitch in the law. Eric’s Law is not about the death penalty, but is a bill for sentencing reform with emphasis on victims’ rights.”
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