Joint Press Release Revised 5/13/14
Petitions to be Presented to Governor Deval Patrick
A coalition of families representing victims of violent crime will deliver petitions to
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick on Wednesday, May 14 at the Massachusetts
State House, Room A-1, 24 Beacon Street, Boston.
These petitions, signed by over 15,000 people, are in response to the state’s
Supreme Judicial Court ruling that juveniles convicted of first-degree murder and
sentenced to life without parole are now retroactively eligible for parole after
serving only 15 years.
The petitions, which urge Governor Patrick and other government entities to stop
the parole of several incarcerated murderers, were initiated by the families of
victims of homicide. The families of homicide victims Beth Brodie, Amy Carnevale,
Janet Downing, Lewis Jennings, and Bonnie Sue Mitchell will be represented.
The families intend to deliver the petitions to Governor Patrick before Senate
Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R) presents Bill S.2008 to the Joint Committee on The
Judiciary. Bill S.2008 would require juveniles convicted of first-degree murder to
serve a minimum of 35 years in prison, instead of the current 15 years minimum,
before becoming eligible for parole. Bill S.2008 would also be applied retroactively.
The coalition of families will gather at the State House at 12:00 p.m. in Room A-1.
The Joint Committee on The Judiciary vote regarding Bill S.2008 is scheduled for
1:00 p.m. The petitions will be presented to Governor Patrick before the vote.
The press and other interested parties are invited to attend and the event is open to
the public.
A coalition of families representing victims of violent crime will deliver petitions to
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick on Wednesday, May 14 at the Massachusetts
State House, Room A-1, 24 Beacon Street, Boston.
These petitions, signed by over 15,000 people, are in response to the state’s
Supreme Judicial Court ruling that juveniles convicted of first-degree murder and
sentenced to life without parole are now retroactively eligible for parole after
serving only 15 years.
The petitions, which urge Governor Patrick and other government entities to stop
the parole of several incarcerated murderers, were initiated by the families of
victims of homicide. The families of homicide victims Beth Brodie, Amy Carnevale,
Janet Downing, Lewis Jennings, and Bonnie Sue Mitchell will be represented.
The families intend to deliver the petitions to Governor Patrick before Senate
Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R) presents Bill S.2008 to the Joint Committee on The
Judiciary. Bill S.2008 would require juveniles convicted of first-degree murder to
serve a minimum of 35 years in prison, instead of the current 15 years minimum,
before becoming eligible for parole. Bill S.2008 would also be applied retroactively.
The coalition of families will gather at the State House at 12:00 p.m. in Room A-1.
The Joint Committee on The Judiciary vote regarding Bill S.2008 is scheduled for
1:00 p.m. The petitions will be presented to Governor Patrick before the vote.
The press and other interested parties are invited to attend and the event is open to
the public.
