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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 22, 2014 03:17 PM |
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| From: | Representative Angel Cruz |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Harsher Penalties for the “Knockout Game" |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to make “knockout game” assaults a second degree felony and to ensure that juveniles 15 years or older would be charged as adults for participating in this violent act. Police in several states, including Pennsylvania, have reported violent attacks linked to a game that has garnered national attention. The "knockout game" is one of many names given to assaults in which defenseless and unsuspecting people are chosen at random and attacked by one or more assailants with the goal of knocking the victim out with one punch. At least two deaths have been linked to the knockout game assaults. Under current Pennsylvania law, an offender who participated in this game could be charged with simple assault and walk out of a court with only probation or fines. My legislation would strengthen our law by classifying this offense as a second degree felony aggravated assault to ensure that these assailants, including juveniles, would face more serious consequences. As the media turns its focus away from these assaults, our constituents continue to walk the streets in fear. We have the opportunity to put an end to these meaningless attacks. The extreme indifference to the value of human life should receive more than a simple slap on the wrist. I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my Harrisburg office at 717-705-1925. |
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| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as HB2053