As the Massachusetts Legislative session comes to an end, the fate of a controversial three strikes sentencing bill hangs in the balance. On Saturday, Governor Deval Patrick sent it back to the legislature with an amendment calling for more judicial discretion. The Legislature rejected the amendment Monday, and now Patrick has to decide whether to kill the bill.
The bill would bar parole for repeat criminals after they’re convicted of a third violent felony. Patrick’s amendment would create a so called safety valve that would give judges the discretion to allow parole on a case by case basis if the evidence warrants it.
But the House of Representatives shot down the amendment 132 to 23. And the Senate rejected the amendment on a voice vote.
Now the measure goes back to the governor with the original language without his amendment. He has ten days to decide whether to sign the bill or veto it and he’s not saying what he’ll do.
“I’m not playing games. I want this bill done this session,” Patrick said. “There are a lot of people who are working on this a long, long time. This will be a better bill if there is judicial discretion.”
Les Gosule, whose daughter was raped and stabbed to death by a paroled killer and who has been pushing the bill for the past twelve years, is urging Patrick to sign the bill:
“Let’s get the bill passed and let’s review the amendments next year because the governor maybe has some valid points, but I think on balance, it’s important that we came this far, so far, to lose it at the last few seconds of the game would be wrong.”
House Speaker Robert DeLeo says he has more than enough votes for a veto override. But Patrick could always wait and veto the bill after lawmakers have already adjourned for the year, effectively killing it.
