Scarnati: Public Should be Informed About
Convicts Being Released to Their Area
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) amended Senate Bill 1161 to require public hearings to be held in communities where convicted murderers are being released into group homes. The Board of Probation and Parole will be responsible for holding the aforementioned public hearings.
“This amendment is simply a public safety measure in order to inform and alert the communities when a convicted murderer will be released to a group home in their area,” Scarnati stated. “Citizens should also have the right to express themselves in a public forum on the circumstances surrounding the location of the individual.”
Scarnati mentioned that this amendment was prompted by the lack of public information given to the residents in the Jefferson County area when a convicted murderer was to be placed in a local group home.
In 1993, Ernie Simmons was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1992 beating and strangulation of 80-year-old Anna Knaze of Johnstown. But a federal judge ruled in 2005 that prosecutors withheld some evidence that could have helped Simmons' defense, and the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision by ordering a new trial.
Late last year, Simmons pleaded no contest to third-degree murder, which resulted in a shorter prison sentence. When he was released, he was sent to the Just for Jesus Shelter, just south of Brockway.
“I have stated time and time again, government has the responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our residents,” Scarnati added. “Quite frankly, this is a common sense amendment that received the support of every member of the Senate.”
The process by which the public hearing takes place requires that the group-based home provider shall explain their operations and allow the public to comment on this site and their actual procedures. In addition, notice of the public hearing shall be put in newspapers on two different dates prior to the hearing.
“Again, it goes without saying that the public should be notified and given the ability to gain answers as to why a convicted murderer is being located in their neighborhoods,” Scarnati concluded. “When these individuals are being placed in group homes near our families, friends and children, it is vital that all the facts are being relayed to the concerned members of that respective community.”
Listen here.
“This amendment is simply a public safety measure in order to inform and alert the communities when a convicted murderer will be released to a group home in their area,” Scarnati stated. “Citizens should also have the right to express themselves in a public forum on the circumstances surrounding the location of the individual.”
Scarnati mentioned that this amendment was prompted by the lack of public information given to the residents in the Jefferson County area when a convicted murderer was to be placed in a local group home.
In 1993, Ernie Simmons was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1992 beating and strangulation of 80-year-old Anna Knaze of Johnstown. But a federal judge ruled in 2005 that prosecutors withheld some evidence that could have helped Simmons' defense, and the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision by ordering a new trial.
Late last year, Simmons pleaded no contest to third-degree murder, which resulted in a shorter prison sentence. When he was released, he was sent to the Just for Jesus Shelter, just south of Brockway.
“I have stated time and time again, government has the responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our residents,” Scarnati added. “Quite frankly, this is a common sense amendment that received the support of every member of the Senate.”
The process by which the public hearing takes place requires that the group-based home provider shall explain their operations and allow the public to comment on this site and their actual procedures. In addition, notice of the public hearing shall be put in newspapers on two different dates prior to the hearing.
“Again, it goes without saying that the public should be notified and given the ability to gain answers as to why a convicted murderer is being located in their neighborhoods,” Scarnati concluded. “When these individuals are being placed in group homes near our families, friends and children, it is vital that all the facts are being relayed to the concerned members of that respective community.”
Listen here.
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