House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

May 20, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Governor Rell signs Legislation to Protect Family Violence Victims into Law

 

‘Jen’s Law’ to Honor Memory of Jennifer Magnano of Terryville 

Legislation initiated by state Representative William A. Hamzy that will allow family violence victims who fear for their safety to offer court testimony via videoconference rather than being forced to appear in person was signed into law today by Governor M. Jodi Rell.

The measure (House Bill 5875) received unanimous approval at all stages of the legislative process - from the Public Safety and Judiciary committees to the state House of Representatives and the state Senate.

Representative Hamzy, R-78th District, initiated the legislation in response to the August 2007 murder of Jennifer Magnano of Terryville, who had fled the town on April 14, 2007 with her son and two daughters to escape an abusive relationship with her husband, Scott Magnano.

“I’d like to thank Governor Rell for signing this landmark legislation into law today,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78th District. “It will give family violence victims like Jennifer Magnano badly-needed protection from vindictive husbands and ex-boyfriends when they are required to testify in court in divorce, child custody or support cases. Jen’s Law, as this legislation has come to be known, is a fitting tribute to Mrs. Magnano’s memory.”

“I’d also like to thank my colleagues on the Public Safety and Judiciary committees, and in the House and Senate, for their strong bipartisan support for this measure. Everyone who heard the testimony offered by Mrs. Magnano’s family, in-laws and friends at the March 10th Judiciary Committee hearing could not help but be touched by their memories of a loving mother and a courageous woman who knew her life was in danger when she returned to Connecticut to testify in her divorce and child custody case,” said Representative Hamzy, who serves on the Judiciary Committee and cosponsored the bill.

Mrs. Magnano had been forced by a court order to return to Connecticut to testify in person. She was slain by Mr. Magnano in the front yard of their Terryville home at about 11 p.m. on August 23, 2007. He took his own life shortly after the murder.