Crist to sign 'anti-murder act' into law

Thursday, March 8, 2007

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More jails and prisons may be needed to hold felons who violate their probation.

The state bill known as the anti-murder act has passed the House of Representatives and Senate.

The bill requires that violent felons who violate probation will be sent to jail or prison unless they can convince a judge they don't pose a danger to the community. The measure has been a top priority of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.

"We're really focusing on the violent offenders," said Rep. Andy Gardiner, (R-Orlando). "It could've been somebody that did something ten, 15, 20 years ago, and they just are on parole, and we're not tracking them as good as we should have been."

Some legislators expressed concerns about the cost of the measure, which could run $160 million, with most of that money going to building new prison space.

Sen. Steve Oelrich (R-Gainesville) said counties might have to pick up some of the cost, because felons who are re-sentenced to less than a year could be thrown into county jails.

"I'm all in favor, don't get me wrong, about getting violent offenders off the streets," Oelrich said. "It's just it does come with a price tag and we're not going to realize it up here, but they'll realize it in our local counties."

Crist plans to sign the bill in honor of Carlie Brucia, Jessica Lunsford, and six people in Deltona who were killed over an X-box video game, All were killed by felons out on parole.