Beretta92FSLady
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It appears that Gregoire has decided to change the Constitution with regards to bails, and allowing for "no bail" to be given for individuals who should not be trusted to run the streets prior to their incarceration. I might have missed something in the article, but it appears that the firearms issue did NOT come up.
shootings spark proposed changes
By RACHEL LA CORTE
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire and several law enforcement groups said Wednesday that they support the idea of a state constitutional amendment that would give judges more leeway to deny bail.
Gregoire, surrounded by representatives from police groups, prosecutors and judges, told reporters that while several ideas have been discussed, specific legislation still needs to be worked out.
After the shootings of four police officers in November, Gregoire and others pushed for discussions on possible changes to state law.
She said she wants to make sure that something as significant as changing the constitution is done carefully, but that she wants to see something pass during the 60-day legislative session that begins on Monday.
"We owe that to these fallen officers and their families," she said.
Maurice Clemmons was under supervision by the state Department of Corrections when authorities say he shot and killed four Lakewood officers at coffee shop before the start of their shifts.
Clemmons was shot and killed by police after a two-day manhunt.
One lawmaker already has a public hearing scheduled later this month to discuss the circumstances surrounding Clemmons, and why he was on the streets.
Clemmons had a criminal history in both Washington and Arkansas. His 108-year prison sentence for armed robbery and other offenses was commuted by then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2000. Six days before the shooting, he had posted bail on charges of raping a child, a charge that could have potentially put him in prison for life under Washington state's "three-strikes" law.
Under the state constitution, bail can only be denied in aggravated murder cases.
"Judges should have more discretion to deny bail when someone is inherently dangerous and there is a threat to public safety," Don Pierce, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, said at Wednesday's news conference.
Pierce said that law enforcement groups also want a review of the bail bonds system, greater research on how to prevent armed encounters with law enforcement, and enhanced benefits for survivors of officers who die in the line of duty.
Not all of the ideas will necessarily translate into legislation this session, he said.
"There really are no easy answers," he said. "This is not something that we can fix in a 60-day legislative session."
Gregoire said she has directed some changes to start now, including better communication between law enforcement on jail bookings and releases.
Gregoire also said she wants the state Department of Corrections to explore ways to improve the 50-state pact that governs adult offender supervision across state lines.
At issue is a warrant that Arkansas officials issued for Clemmons. Arkansas corrections officials say the warrant should have been enough to keep Clemmons in jail on a charge in Pierce County. But Washington officials say it wasn't handled properly in Arkansas.
"I know full well, now that I've seen it up close and personal, that the interstate compact system is not working as it should, and it needs to be corrected," she said.
A handful of bills sparked by the murders have already been prefiled in advance of the session, and more are expected.
Rep. Mike Hope, a Republican from Lake Stevens and a Seattle police officer, has introduced one constitutional amendment to exempt potential three-strike offenders like Clemmons from being able to post bail.
Another measure, sponsored by Rep. Troy Kelley, D-Tacoma, would exempt people from bail if they are potentially dangerous and had a prior felony sentence commuted or pardoned by a governor of any state.
Kelley also has introduced a bill that would waive all tuition and fees at state colleges for children of police officer or firefighters who die or become totally disabled while in the line of duty.
On Tuesday, thousands of officers attended a memorial for a Pierce County sheriff's deputy who was shot to death while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Deputy Kent Mundell of Puyallup was the sixth law officer killed in two months in Pierce County and Seattle.
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
It appears that Gregoire has decided to change the Constitution with regards to bails, and allowing for "no bail" to be given for individuals who should not be trusted to run the streets prior to their incarceration. I might have missed something in the article, but it appears that the firearms issue did NOT come up.
shootings spark proposed changes
By RACHEL LA CORTE
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire and several law enforcement groups said Wednesday that they support the idea of a state constitutional amendment that would give judges more leeway to deny bail.
Gregoire, surrounded by representatives from police groups, prosecutors and judges, told reporters that while several ideas have been discussed, specific legislation still needs to be worked out.
After the shootings of four police officers in November, Gregoire and others pushed for discussions on possible changes to state law.
She said she wants to make sure that something as significant as changing the constitution is done carefully, but that she wants to see something pass during the 60-day legislative session that begins on Monday.
"We owe that to these fallen officers and their families," she said.
Maurice Clemmons was under supervision by the state Department of Corrections when authorities say he shot and killed four Lakewood officers at coffee shop before the start of their shifts.
Clemmons was shot and killed by police after a two-day manhunt.
One lawmaker already has a public hearing scheduled later this month to discuss the circumstances surrounding Clemmons, and why he was on the streets.
Clemmons had a criminal history in both Washington and Arkansas. His 108-year prison sentence for armed robbery and other offenses was commuted by then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2000. Six days before the shooting, he had posted bail on charges of raping a child, a charge that could have potentially put him in prison for life under Washington state's "three-strikes" law.
Under the state constitution, bail can only be denied in aggravated murder cases.
"Judges should have more discretion to deny bail when someone is inherently dangerous and there is a threat to public safety," Don Pierce, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, said at Wednesday's news conference.
Pierce said that law enforcement groups also want a review of the bail bonds system, greater research on how to prevent armed encounters with law enforcement, and enhanced benefits for survivors of officers who die in the line of duty.
Not all of the ideas will necessarily translate into legislation this session, he said.
"There really are no easy answers," he said. "This is not something that we can fix in a 60-day legislative session."
Gregoire said she has directed some changes to start now, including better communication between law enforcement on jail bookings and releases.
Gregoire also said she wants the state Department of Corrections to explore ways to improve the 50-state pact that governs adult offender supervision across state lines.
At issue is a warrant that Arkansas officials issued for Clemmons. Arkansas corrections officials say the warrant should have been enough to keep Clemmons in jail on a charge in Pierce County. But Washington officials say it wasn't handled properly in Arkansas.
"I know full well, now that I've seen it up close and personal, that the interstate compact system is not working as it should, and it needs to be corrected," she said.
A handful of bills sparked by the murders have already been prefiled in advance of the session, and more are expected.
Rep. Mike Hope, a Republican from Lake Stevens and a Seattle police officer, has introduced one constitutional amendment to exempt potential three-strike offenders like Clemmons from being able to post bail.
Another measure, sponsored by Rep. Troy Kelley, D-Tacoma, would exempt people from bail if they are potentially dangerous and had a prior felony sentence commuted or pardoned by a governor of any state.
Kelley also has introduced a bill that would waive all tuition and fees at state colleges for children of police officer or firefighters who die or become totally disabled while in the line of duty.
On Tuesday, thousands of officers attended a memorial for a Pierce County sheriff's deputy who was shot to death while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Deputy Kent Mundell of Puyallup was the sixth law officer killed in two months in Pierce County and Seattle.
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
