Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 2, 2014 04:12 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mike Vereb |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Cosponsor Request - Revictimization Relief Act |
| A convicted murderer is still traumatizing the victim’s family and it needs to stop. We need to ensure this doesn’t happen to any other victim or their family. As a former police officer whose partner died in my arms, I can personally relate to this tragedy. I’m sure you all recently heard the news that convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal plans to give a commencement speech at a college in Vermont. I am utterly outraged that such a reprehensible person would be able to revictimize Officer Daniel Faulkner’s family with this kind of self-promoting behavior. I am asking your support for a bill, the Revictimization Relief Act, that would put an end to this kind of shameful misconduct. Officer Faulkner’s wife Maureen was left a widow by Abu-Jamal. But not only did Maureen lose her husband and the life she hoped to lead with him, Maureen also since has been revictimized again and again by Abu-Jamal’s ongoing acts. It is time to put a stop to this, not only for Maureen, but for all victims of personal crimes. That is why I am today proposing we add to the Crime Victims Act a provision for “Revictimization Relief.” It would allow the victim of a crime, or a district attorney or the Attorney General on the victim’s behalf, to bring a civil action to stop an offender’s misconduct which causes the victim or the victim’s family severe mental anguish. The courts would then have the power to issue an order stopping the revictimization. How often does the victim of a crime have to be victimized again before it is considered enough? I ask that you join me in this effort. I plan to participate in a press conference Monday, October 6 at 3:30pm in the Main Rotunda. I have invited Jennifer Storm, the state’s Victim Advocate, Mrs. Faulkner via satellite, and by virtue of this memo, all of you and members of the State Senate. Standing together, we can make a difference and show victims and families, Pennsylvania does not condone the actions of murderers. Please contact Julianne Naccarato in my capitol office with questions regarding this Revictimization Relief Act 717-705-7164. FACTS OF THE CASE: Here are the facts of the case, verified in Court. On December 9, 1981, at approximately 3:55 a.m., Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner joined the ranks of those courageous officers who have given their lives to keep our nation's streets safe and free. Officer Faulkner, a five year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, made a traffic stop at Locust Street near Twelfth Street. After making the stop, Officer Faulkner called for assistance on his police radio and requested a police wagon to transport a prisoner. Unbeknownst to him, the driver’s brother, Mumia Abu-Jamal was across the street. As Officer Faulkner attempted to handcuff William Cook, Mumia Abu-Jamal ran from across the street and shot the officer in the back in cold blood. Officer Faulkner turned and was able to fire one shot that struck Abu-Jamal in the chest; the wounded officer then fell to the pavement. Mumia Abu-Jamal then stood over the downed officer and shot at him four more times at close range, striking him once directly in the face. Mumia Abu-Jamal was found still at the scene of the shooting by officers who arrived there within seconds. The murderer was slumped against the curb in front of his brother's car. In his possession was a .38 caliber revolver that records showed Mumia had purchased months earlier. The chamber of the gun had five spent cartridges. Eyewitnesses to the brutal slaying identified Mumia Abu-Jamal as the killer both at the scene and during his trial included a cab driver, as well as other pedestrians. |
||
| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as HB2533