From Deseret News archives:
Pushing for 'Jessica's Law'
Father of girl killed by sex offender to address legislators
Mark Lunsford, a Florida man whose 9-year-old daughter was raped and murdered by a convicted sex offender in 2005, arrived in Salt Lake on Tuesday night and will speak with legislators this week.
"His story puts tears in your eyes," said Utah Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield. "But as sad and as heart-wrenching as it is, it helps."
Lunsford has criss-crossed the nation over the last three years, advocating tougher laws against offenders who abuse young children.
"My daughter can't talk, so I have to speak for her," Lunsford said Tuesday night at the Salt Lake International Airport.
Too many repeat offenders are allowed back on the streets, he said. He believes tighter laws would have saved his daughter's life.
A number of states have already adopted variations of Jessica's Law. Ray said Utah lawmakers felt pressure to follow suit last year, but saw problems with the laws being passed around the nation.
"We took a beating last year for holding off," he said. Now, Utah's version of the law, HB256, might be one of the toughest.
"It's the best one in the nation," said Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, the bill's sponsor.
The law would up the penalties for certain sex offenses against children. It would also increase penalties for those who strike plea agreements, pleading guilty to "attempted" offenses.
Rape of a child, sodomy on a child and object rape of a child could carry 25-years-to-life sentences. "Attempted" charges would get a standardized sentence of 15-years-to-life.
The measure grants the judge the ability to impose a lighter sentence, but only if a reason is put on record, Ray said.
HB256 was approved unanimously by the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee last week. By the end of the session, Lunsford believes "Jessica's Law" will be ready for the governor's signature.
"It's not what we hope to accomplish," Lunsford said. "It's what we will accomplish."
E-mail: afalk@desnews.com
