House Republican Press Release

April 25, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Perillo: Three Strikes Defeated Again in House

HARTFORD- Shelton State Representative Jason Perillo (R-Derby) 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 find it outrageous that it has been nearly a year since the gruesome murders in Cheshire that brought the failings of our criminal justice system to the forefront,” said Perillo.  “While we have been making some positive adjustments to our system, without implementing a measure that locks away repeat violent criminals for good, we aren’t giving the people of Connecticut the kind of reform they want and need.”

Perillo noted that this is the fourth time legislative Democrats have rejected Three Strikes since January.

The amendment failed by a vote of 77-63, with all 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.