Bipartisan bill aims to crack down on violent crime, bring justice to families of homicide victims
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a bipartisan bill to crack down on violent crime.
Sens. Ossoff and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) recently introduced the bipartisan Justice for Murder Victims Act to help prosecute violent criminals and bring justice to homicide victims and their families. The bipartisan bill would eliminate the old and arbitrary “year-and-a-day” rule, which prohibits homicide prosecution if the victim dies more than a year from the date of the attack or incident.
Many states have already abolished the rule, which dates back to the 13th century, but Sens. Ossoff and Grassley’s bill would eliminate it for Federal cases nationwide, ensuring homicide victims and their families are not denied justice.
“Murderers and violent criminals must be held accountable,” Sen. Ossoff said. “Senator Grassley and I are introducing bipartisan legislation to help secure justice for homicide victims and their families.”
“Murderous criminals shouldn’t get off the hook because modern medicine prolonged the lifespan of their victim. Our bipartisan bill will eliminate the medieval “year-and-a-day” rule to ensure justice is served, violent criminals are held accountable and families get the closure they deserve,” Grassley said.
The Justice for Murder Victims Act is endorsed by the National District Attorney’s Association, the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Murder Accountability Project, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
“NDAA is proud to support Senator Grassley and Senator Ossoff as they introduce the Justice for Murder Victims Act. This legislation updates an archaic rule that limits the ability of federal prosecutors to hold offenders accountable and provide justice for victims and their families. We look forward to moving this bipartisan proposal through Congress at a time when violent crime is plaguing communities across the country,” said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association.
“The MCCA proudly endorses the Justice for Murder Victims Act. The updates made by this legislation will help increase accountability throughout the criminal justice system by helping ensure violent offenders can be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The MCCA thanks Sen. Grassley and Sen. Ossoff for introducing this bill,” said Chief Mike Brown, Chairman of the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
“The timing of a victim’s death should never stand in the way of justice. Families who have watched their loved ones fight courageously for survival should not have to endure the pain of losing them only to discover their attacker cannot be prosecuted. Advances in modern medicine now allow victims to survive longer, but outdated legal rules unintentionally penalize those who fight to stay alive. TheJustice for Murder Victims Act ensures that justice is possible, regardless of when a victim succumbs to their injuries. FLEOA fully supports this critical legislation and commends Senator Grassley for his leadership in addressing this injustice,” said Mathew Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.
Click here to read the Justice for Murder Victims Act.
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