alaskacitizensforjusticeblog

Turning Tragedy Into Triumph

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 05:31:50 +0100

No one should get away with murder, rape, nor any other heinous crime. With collection of DNA on all felony arrests we can identify and successfully prosecute the predators in our society. We can stop them! We have the technology, 24 states and the federal government have passed legislation to collect DNA on arrest, but we need all 50 states to collect DNA on arrest. We want to ensure there is no safe haven for the criminals.

Collection of DNA on all felony arrests will protect the innocent and keep the innocent out of jail. Fewer cases will grow cold. Suspects will be identified sooner and taken off our streets. Many crimes will be prevented. Law enforcement will be able to focus on the right suspect sooner. Collection of DNA on arrest saves investigation time, prosecution time and court time. An Indiana study showed they could save $60 million a year. One DNA profile costs $40-50. One cold case can cost $1 million. One law suit for a wrongful incarceration can cost a state $75,000 per year of incarceration. One man, just exonerated, was wrongfully incarcerated for 27 years!

Collection of DNA on arrest does not violate any constitutional rights. It is merely a means of identification, much like the bar code on products in the store. It does not have any medical, psychological, nor racial information. This is what a DNA profile looks like:

11,11,12,12,12,13,10,20,29,30,16,18,12

13,09,11,11,15,23,24,06,9.3,08,08,17,19

No name is even attached to the DNA profile in the national DNA database, CODIS. There is no "intimate medical information." A mug shot is more of an invasion of privacy than a DNA profile. Which would you rather see on the evening news or the internet; your mug shot or your DNA profile?

The suspect is still innocent until proven guilty. Only a jury determines "guilty" or "not guilty."

Surviving Parents Coalition (SPC), a nationwide group of parents who have lived through every parent's worst nightmare, promotes changes in this important public safety legislation. Our children have been abducted, sexually assaulted, some murdered, few recovered and many are still missing. We have learned first hand how critical DNA on felony arrest is to protect our children and grandchildren.

One of our missions is to get all 50 states collecting DNA on felony arrest. We can't do it alone. We need everyone to participate in the process of making such incredible changes. We need support. Please take time to call your US Senators. Ask them to support the "Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2010." It passed the US House (HR 4614). It will provide 10% more federal funding for states collecting DNA on arrest.

If your state is not collecting DNA on arrest contact your state lawmakers and let them know you want DNA collected the same time finger prints and mug shots are taken.

Support the SPC as we strive to raise awareness and change legislation to protect our children. We will kick off our "Ride for Their Lives" in Rochester, New York August 21st. Ed Smart and Ahmad Rivazfar will ride bikes across the country to Los Angeles, CA to help raise awareness and funds to make the necessary legislative changes. We need to raise $1 Million to help us in our missions.

We are pushing for funding for the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act of 2006. We want to encourage compliance by all states in tracking and monitoring the registered sex offenders. We are striving to get more support for the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces. Currently, more than 1 million computers in the US are downloading child pornography. These are pictures and videos of infants and children being sexually abused and tortured. These are crime scene videos of children under 12 years old. Law enforcement know the location of these computers. They know there will be a child victim at one third of these locations, yet they only have the resources to investigate less than 2% of the known locations.

Additionally, we promote education. Teach our children to stay safe through programs such as r.a.d.Kids and Samantha's Pride. Go to www.SPCoalition.org for more information.

Please, don't turn away in disbelief and disgust from these horrors. Help us turn tragedy into triumph. Help us protect and rescue our kids and save lives. Help us find those who are still missing. Take time to donate, to make calls, and to raise awareness

www.RideforTheirLives.com

North Carolina Passed DNA on Arrest Bil

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:51:05 +0100

North Carolina will become the 24th state to pass legislation to collect DNA on arrest. Rep. Wil Neumann pushed his bill to the very end of the session. It was passed in the final moments of the NC legislative session. The bill will now move on to the Governor for signature. Governor Bev Perdu has been a strong supporter of this legislation along with the Attorney General.

The NC bill includes not only felony crimes, but some misdemeanors. Studies show that certain misdemeanors are committed by those who have already committed more violent crimes. In one study 40% of DNA evidence collected at burglaries matched evidence in a murder, rape or violent assault.

Collection of DNA on arrest will save many lives, prevent crimes and reduce the number of cases that grow cold. It, ultimately, saves the state money in investigation time, prosecution time and court time. It will protect the innocent and keep the innocent out of jail. More than 252 people wrongfully incarcerated for a crime have been exonerated by DNA

This DNA Arrestee legislation is beneficial, not only to North Carolina residents, but to all of us, since many criminals cross state lines after committing a major crime to avoid law enforcement. There is one less state that will act as a safe haven for the predators in our society.

We now need to focus on New York where there are more than 30,000 unsolved crimes. Rep Sheldon Silver has been the main obstruction in NY. Other states still needing arrestee legislation are CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IO, KN, ME MA, MS, MT, NB, NV, NH, NJ, OK, OR, PA, RI, WA, WV, WS,WY and DC. We need to get all 50 states on board.

New Trial Date Set for Bonnie Craig Murder.

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:11:04 +0100

A fifth trial date has been set in the Bonnie Craig Murder Trial. Judge Jack Smith set February 7th, 2011 as the new date. Prosecutor Pat Gullufsen had told Judge Smith back in February that an extension to August 30th would not be possible for him. He had planned on retiring much sooner. Gullufsen's request fell on deaf ears. Now time is needed for the new prosecutor,who will start work July 16th to go over more than 10,000 pages of investigation, 33 motions, 105 DNA tests that were taken to rule out suspects and more than 230 audio taped interviews.

Defense attorneys in this case have always requested and been granted more than a year to prepare for a trial. The defendant,Kenneth Dion, was identified by a DNA match November 2006. The first trial date of September 2008 was set with the condition that it would give both sides, prosecution and defense,enough time that no continuances would be necessary.

Governor Approves Crime Lab Funding

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:33:51 +0100

Governor Signs the Budget, June 3rd, 2010

Governor Sean Parnell signed the budget approving the final $75 million for the new Alaska Crime Lab. Construction is,once again, proceeding. Thank you to all who pushed for the funding. We are saving lives and a lot of heartache by getting this new crime lab. It will be a legacy that will, ultimately, change the crime rate in Alaska. The innocent will be protected and the predators will end up behind bars earlier in their careers. Many crimes will be prevented. No one should get away with murder, rape, nor any other heinous crime. Alaska will be so much closer to stopping the predators in our society. Fewer cases will grow cold. Victims will get answers much quicker. Confidence in our justice system will start to improve and more victims of rape will be able to endure reporting their rapes and assaults. The new crime lab will help balance the scales of justice.

ALASKA CRIME LAB FUNDING APPROVED!

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:00:39 +0100

Alaska will be getting the new crime lab. It was a knuckle biter right to the end, but lawmakers finally approved the $75 million to complete the new crime lab. Most people will never know how much this will impact their lives. The crime lab is the foundation of our justice system. The more effecient it runs the quicker law enforcement can apprehend the predators in our society. Fewer cases will grow cold. A lot of money will be saved on investigation and prosecution time.

Congratulations to all Alaskans; this is a legacy that we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. It will protect the innocent and keep the innocent out of jail. We will be able to stop letting people get away with murder, rape and other heinous crimes.

NO ONE SHOULD GET AWAY WITH MURDER

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:09:02 +0100

We don’t have to let people get away with murder, rape and other heinous crimes anymore. We can identify them and successfully prosecute them with evidence collected at crime scenes and collecting DNA on all felony arrests.

We will save lives, prevent many crimes, protect our children and grandchildren. We can change our criminal justice system and start to balance the scales of justice. We will see amazing progress once our new crime lab is up and running.

Right now, Alaska is way ahead of the rest of the nation in collecting offender DNA samples. Those DNA profiles are put into the CODIS database within 30 days; but unfortunately until our new crime lab is ready, other crime scene forensic evidence suffers processing delays - sometimes for years. Law enforcement doesn’t even expect evidence from many crimes to be processed. Only the worst of the worst are processed.

If our new crime lab was up and running cases would be solved earlier; fewer cases would grow cold. Evidence from burglaries would be investigated. Did you know that 40% of all burglaries will be connected to someone who has already committed rape or murder? Evidence from those crimes is not even processed.

In my daughter’s murder case it took 13 years before her killer was identified by a DNA hit from our national DNA database, CODIS. The man suspected of killing her had left the state and committed many crimes in New Hampshire. NH arrested and convicted him in February 2003 for armed robbery. Yet, we would have to wait almost 4 years before his DNA profile was submitted to CODIS. It is not fair for any victim to have to wait years for answers. It weakens cases and complicates prosecution, making it incredibly costly and time consuming.

There are over 10,000 pages of investigation, 105 DNAs taken to rule out suspects, 230 audio taped interviews. We have had 27 pre-trial hearings; the defendant is on his third public defender and we are on our second judge. Although the alleged killer was identified November 2006 we still have not gone to trial. Currently, the date is set for August 30^th 2010, but we expect the defense to request yet another delay. By the end of this case our state will have spent in excess of $1 million. That’s just one cold case.

I know that, with current technology and current laws, no other parent should have to go through this. We have the technology, the people; we need to put up the money for our new crime lab so they can do their jobs. The crime lab is the foundation of our justice system. It is our moral responsibility to protect the innocent and keep the innocent out of jail.

Failure to fund this crime lab, again, will cost lives and pain. It will allow killers and rapists to continue roaming our streets and harming others. More cases will grow cold, costing our state thousands in investigation time, prosecution time and court time. This new crime lab will be a legacy for years to come. It will prevent so much pain and sorrow and help reduce our crime rate. No one should get away with murder, rape or any other heinous crime. Let’s make Alaska a safer place, a better place for our children and grandchildren. Let’s fund the new crime lab now. Call or email your lawmakers today!

UTAH HOUSE Passes DNA on Arrest Bill

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:54:25 +0100

The Utah House,after making some minor amendments to a DNA on Arrest Bill passed the bill. It will now be returned to the Senate where it was overwhelming approved for a final vote.

Looks like Utah will be the 22nd state to pass DNA on arrest legislation. Surviving Parent Coalition (SPC) President Ed Smart and Elaine Runyon-Simmons were very instrumental in ensuring this bill would get passed this session.

SPC President pushes for DNA on Felony Arrest in Utah

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:12:50 +0100

Ed Smart, Surviving Parent Coalition President, pushes for DNA collection on felony arrest in Utah.

(http://heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_42a25887-53a2-57d7-a56a-51c4604324c8.html

Currently 21 states and the federal government collect DNA on arrest. It will save lives and prevent so many crimes. It will get the predators off the streets earlier in their careers and keep the innocent out of jail. It will help balance the scales of justice.

Smart, father of Elizabeth Smart who was abducted, sexually assaulted and held captive for 9 months, wants to ensure that "NOT ONE MORE CHILD" should have to suffer as Elizabeth and so many already have suffered.

SPC is pushing for all 50 states to collect DNA on all felony arrests.

HB 4614 Introduced in Congress could add 10% additional Funding for Alaska

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:32:45 +0100

A bill hoping to encourage all 50 states to collect DNA on felony arrest is offering a 10% bonus in the Byrne Grant Funding to states that collect DNA on Felony Arrest. This is funding for law enforcement and our crime lab and it helps victim services.

HB 4614 is modeled after Katie's Law. Katie Sepich was murdered in New Mexico. Her parents, Dave and Jayann Sepich, have fought tirelessly to get DNA on Arrest in all 50 states ( www.DNASaves.org ) Getting all 50 states will leave no safe haven for the predators who often commit crimes then leave the area. It will save lives and prevent crime. It will prevent a lot of pain and help balance the scales of justice.

Alaska is one of 21 states that has already passed legislation to collect DNA on all felony arrests. In fact, Alaska now collects the offender profiles and uploads them into CODIS, our national DNA database, within 30 days. Alaska is the only state that requires the profiles be entered within 90 days. Some states have such a backlog it takes more than a year. Currently, some states are struggling to find funding to pass DNA on felony Arrest. This will help. States that don't collect DNA on felony arrest will be penalized 5% from the Byrne Grant Funding if this bill is passed.

We need to make sure that our Congressman for all Alaskans, Don Young, supports and even co-sponsors this bill. I have called his office and sent emails but have yet to receive a response. It was President's Day. I will update you as soon as I hear from Rep. Don Young.

Judge Allows another Delay in Bonnie Craig Murder Case

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:39:30 +0100

February 12th, 2010

Judge Jack Smith granted Defense another extension in Bonnie Craig Murder Trial

Kenneth Dion was identified as the alleged killer by a DNA Hit in CODIS, the national DNA database, November 2006. Original trial date was set for September 2008 so there would be absolutely no reason for extensions. It was then set for January 2009. After 18 months of doing nothing on the case, according to Andrew Lambert, Lee Degrasie was taken off of the case and another public defender was assigned. Within 2 months that public defender told the judge there was a conflict of interest, which she refused to disclose, and that the case would have to go to the Office of Public Advocacy. Andrew Lambert has had the case since March 23, 2009. Trial date had been set for April 19th, 2010. In August 2009, after Lambert missing 3 pre-trail hearings to set a court date, Lambert insisted that he could handle this case even though his wife had been newly diagnosed with cancer. Now, after taking one month off to vacation with his family, to recover from dealing with the cancer issue and, according to Lambert, spending 2 months by her bedside in the hospital Lambert needs more time. He won't be available in August because he has a month vacation planned. So the judge set the date for August 30th. Lambert had requested it be set after the Labor Day Weekend. So we can expect that the trial will be delayed at least until September 2010.

State Prosecutor, Pat Gullafson has been waiting to retire and told the judge he has commitments and planned to retire before August. The Judge did nothing to take the prosecutor's nor the victims' needsand schedules into consideration. The judge, as is always the case, fears an appeal if extensions aren't granted to the defense.