HB 195 response

With the caveat/preface that I have a great deal of respect for Bob Rice as a professional and a prosecutor, and that I am not an attorney, I would like to issue some respectful clarifications/challenges to his comments in his letter opposing HB 195.

As Mr. Rice notes, the bill as proposed would require convicted persons to serve at least 25 years. In addition, they must accept responsibility and accountability for their crimes, and have demonstrated over the period of their imprisonment a consistent, legitimate record of rehabilitation. Finally, there is an exclusion within the bill for any cases that involved aggravating circumstances that would prevent convicted persons in such cases from petitioning.

I agree completely with Mr. Rice that individuals should be punished appropriately, that it is a horrible tragedy when violent crimes result in the death or permanent disability of another, that those victims will never have a second chance at life, and that loved ones will never get a second chance to experience time with the victim again. However, by the above same logic, again with all due respect, those who commit violent crimes by vehicle resulting in the death or permanent disability of another should also never be eligible for parole, as those victims will likewise never have a second chance.

I disagree that the bill is a “dangerous bill”; I personally think it is generally well-written, with due consideration for various mitigating circumstances.

–– Jerry Wilmes, Maryville