House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

April 17, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Adinolfi: Three Strikes Defeated Again

 

HARTFORD- State Representative Al Adinolfi (R-103) expressed disappointment today that House Democrats once again defeated a Three Strikes measure which would require mandatory life in prison upon conviction of a third violent felony.  Republicans offered the amendment on the floor of the State House of Representatives this afternoon.

 

“Strike three,” said Adinolfi. “This was the legislature’s third failed opportunity to enact Three Strikes. Their first strike was in the January special session, and their second strike was last month before the Judiciary Committee.  Here we are nearly a year after the tragedy in Cheshire, having talked an awful lot, but we are still without the kind of tough criminal justice reforms we need.”

 

Following the introduction of the measure, Democrats quickly moved to pass the bill temporarily, a procedural maneuver removing the underlying bill from consideration.

 

The chief argument advanced by legislative Democrats against Three Strikes is that the measure takes away judicial discretion, said Adinolfi. “The legislature has removed judicial review from several things in the past.  In this instance I would think that’s a good thing.  In the system we have now, it is possible for someone to be convicted three times and appear before a judge on charges of murder, arson or rape and still not be put away for life.  When someone gets that many opportunities to commit violent crimes against their neighbors, I think judicial review has failed. ”

 

“I do not like the fact that this issue is now politically charged, but the truth is the truth,” said Adinolfi. “The final vote to continue the discussion of Three Strikes was defeated by a party line vote with the Democrats against and the Republicans in favor.”

 

Adinolfi added that he intended to bring Three Strikes up again before the conclusion of the session.

 

The 2008 session of the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight on Wednesday, May 7th.