Sound Politics Public Blog: Washington State Democrats Block Stronger Sex Offender Laws

March 06, 2009

Washington State Democrats Block Stronger Sex Offender Laws

Shortly after the murder of 13 year-old Alicia Nipp in Hazel Dell, Washington State Senator Don Benton tried once again to get stronger sentencing for sex predators in Washington State.

Benton said, "Clark County is up in arms about this. All of us representing Clark County are receiving e-mails asking what can be done. It is just horrific."

"Ladies and gentlemen I ask you to join me today to send a strong message to these heinous criminals, these horrific predators that prey on our children and our communities that Washington state will not be a haven for this kind of activity."

He tried to attach an amendment to a bill and was met with resistance from Senator Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, upheld by fellow Democrats and Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen.

Listen to Senator Benton's own words in a March 5, 2009 interview conducted by Erich Ebel of the Senate Republican Caucus at Benton amendment would enact 'Jessica's Law' bottom right of page.

You can also read Senator Benton's press release for more information.

I am left speechless that Washington State Democrats have such little regard for the safety of our children that they continually fight and oppose efforts to protect our children from these predators who are allowed to freely walk our streets with minimal supervision.

Posted by LewWaters at March 06, 2009 11:59 PM | Email This

Comments

1. Why are democrats so soft on sex predators? And criminals in general??

Posted by: Michele on March 7, 2009 12:36 AM

2. That's a question a lot of us are asking down here in Clark County today, Michelle. Benton is right, this County is up in arms over the murder of a 13 year-old girl by a Level III sex offender wearing a GPS tracking device on his ankle.

All it did was help place him in the area of the crime, AFTER Alycia Nipp was found murdered.

Of all the Democrats representing Clark County, and I emailed every single one, not one returned my email, other than Jim Moeller who asked what bill was pending.

Posted by: Lew Waters on March 7, 2009 12:43 AM

3. I am surprised the ACLU has not tried to, as of yet, run to this guys defense claiming that using the GPS tracker to put him at the scene of the crime is invasion of his privacy as a way to supress the evidence.

Posted by: TrueSoldier on March 7, 2009 02:50 AM

4. Why are democrats so soft on sex predators? And criminals in general?? Posted by: Michele on March 7, 2009 12:36 AM

The recognize themselves... and they love their voting base!

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on March 7, 2009 10:06 AM

5. #2: How disgraceful! Democrats are NOT compassionate. They are cruel to their constituents!

Posted by: Michele on March 8, 2009 12:21 AM

6. I went ahead and actually read the bill (6115) and I guess I'm kind of indifferent to this.

My reasoning? No, it's not because I'm a dirty unwashed liberal, it's because simply being a sex offender and committing murder gets you an aggravated charge of murder and thus a higher penalty.

If you want my opinion (and yeah, I know, most of you don't :) ), if you want to end the ability for someone to live a productive life after they commit a sex crime, then keep them in prison for the remainder of it. Don't do this thing where you let them out, while making them wear a scarlet letter and expect them to turn their life around and do good; it won't work.

I'm not saying they should get off easy. To infringe on the self ownership of another human being like that is clearly a horrible thing; I would never argue this. But our methodology of punishing this is fundamentally flawed in my opinion.

Posted by: Andrew Brown on March 9, 2009 08:29 AM