Reps D’Amelio, DelGobbo, Noujaim, Williams: Dems’ Bill is
Dumbed Down Version of GOP Proposal
Legislation proposed by the state legislature’s majority
Democrats that passed that state House Friday increases
penalties for repeat dangerous felony offenders but falls
far short of a Republican proposal that would impose
mandatory life sentences on criminals convicted of three violent felony offenses, four
Greater Waterbury legislators said today.
State representatives Anthony J. D’Amelio, Kevin M. DelGobbo, Selim Noujaim, and
Sean Williams, supported a Republican ‘three strikes and you’re out’ measure that was
killed by the majority Democrats before voting for the weaker Democrat bill.
The Democrat bill (Senate Bill 671) would authorize a judge to double the penalties for
certain violent felony offenses following a second violent crime and triple the penalty
after a third offense – up to a maximum of life in prison for a violent felon. The measure,
which passed the state Senate early Thursday morning, received final legislative approval
by the House Friday and was sent to Governor Rell to be signed into law.
“The bill we passed today is stronger than earlier proposals offered by the majority
Democrats, but is significantly weaker than the ‘three strikes measure that we have been
calling for since last summer’s horrific home invasion murders in Cheshire,” said
Representative D’Amelio, R-71st District. “The majority Democrats have consistently
supported proposals that fall far short of our three strikes proposal and which will not
adequately protect the law-abiding people of Connecticut. But given the majority party’s
control of both chambers, this legislation appears to be the best we can expect this year.”
“I’m bitterly disappointed that this legislature failed to adopt a true three strikes and
you’re out bill. The fundamental premise of life in our country is our right to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness. You can’t enjoy any of them if you live in fear,” said
Representative DelGobbo, R-Naugatuck. “The people of Connecticut were shocked and
frightened by last summer’s murders in Cheshire and wanted tough new laws that would
give them real protection from career criminals. The legislation that passed tonight fails
to keep faith with them.”
“Dr. William Petit, whose family was murdered last July by two paroled repeat offenders,
strongly supports stiff prison sentences for criminals who commit multiple violent
felonies,” said Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury. “Dr Petit had it right when he said
at a ‘Take Back the Night’ rally in Waterbury Thursday that Connecticut’s criminal
justice system cares more about the rights of criminals than it does about their victims.
Every life, regardless of who they may be, to me is a very precious life.”
“The bill we passed tonight is marginally stronger than the legislation we approved in
January but it is still a far cry from the three strikes law I support,” said Representative
Williams, R-68th District. “Even this bill would not have been possible if we had not held
the Democrats’ feet to the fire by bringing back our three strikes proposal time and again.
They know the people of Connecticut are fed up with their obstinate refusal to even
consider legislation that would put violent career criminals behind bars for life. At best,
their bill is a dumbed-down version of our three strikes measure. Our proposal is the real
thing. We will continue bringing it back until we put it on the books once and for all.”
