House Republican Press Release

April 25, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Adinolfi: Three Strikes Defeated Again in House

HARTFORD- State Representative Al Adinolfi (R-103) expressed disappointment today that House Democrats once again defeated the Three Strikes proposal, this time in the form of an amendment to a criminal justice bill on the House floor.  The measure 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 early Friday evening.

“I suppose this would be strike four,” said Adinolfi. “Democrats have now opposed this important measure four times. Despite tough talk, the legislature has only taken half-steps toward making the kind of changes we need to keep Connecticut residents safe.”

Adinolfi spoke in favor of the legislation on the House floor.  “I feel we are not going far enough.  I feel many legislators have ignored the 40,000 plus people that signed a petition requesting a strong Three Strikes Law,” he said. 

Adinolfi noted that the opponents of Three Strikes claim that the measure takes away judicial discretion.  “The very fact that a criminal can have three opportunities to commit the kinds of vicious crimes we’re talking about here demonstrates a failure of judicial discretion in this instance.”

The amendment failed by a vote of 77-63, with al Republican members voting in favor.

The underlying bill which makes some criminal justice improvements and sets minimum penalties for persistent dangerous felony offenders, increasing the maximum penalties for some passed by a vote of 128-12. 

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