Bill would notification of parole of offenders

A law loophole allows some offenders to bypass the registration and notification.

By MARC KOVAC

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

COLUMBUS — Robert Francis picked up a newspaper one day earlier this year and read about a sex offender who had been released from prison and was living on the south side of town.

It was the same man who had murdered Francis’ 15-year-old daughter more than 30 years ago. Francis had no idea the man was even up for parole.

“We weren’t notified,” he said. “I think that the victim’s family has a right to be in the parole hearings of these criminals. ... Where it involves murder and rape and certain crimes, I think the victim’s families should be able to speak out.”

Legislation being offered by two Columbus-area lawmakers would do just that, requiring victims of violent crimes and their families to be automatically notified of coming parole hearings and expanding their rights to participate in the process.

“Family members and victims deserve a voice in parole conferences so that intelligent, informed decisions can be made regarding parole,” said Sen. Steve Stivers, a Republican from Columbus.

Stivers and Rep. Kevin Bacon, also a Republican from the Columbus area, unveiled their legislation during a press conference at the Statehouse on Tuesday. They’re calling it “Roberta’s Law” after Francis’ daughter, who was brutally raped and murdered in 1974.

Notification

Bacon said the legislation would require notification to victims’ families when violent felony offenders are being transferred or considered for parole. The bill also would require five years of post-release control and the creation of a publicly accessible database of such offenders for 10 years after their release.

Francis said his wife, who died several years ago, wanted to be a part of any parole hearing involving their daughter’s killer. But he never received notification when the inmate was up for parole and released.

“I would have wanted to be there,” he said. “… I don’t think that the man should be out on the street. I think he is a very great danger.”

Additionally, the bills (comparable versions will be introduced in the state House and Senate) would expand sex offender registration and community notification requirements to cover so-called sexually motivated killers.

A loophole in existing state law allows offenders convicted of voluntary manslaughter (but whose crimes were sexual in nature) to bypass the community registration and notification process.

The issue was brought to lawmakers’ attention by the family of Barbara Sue Caulley, a 14-year-old who was raped and murdered in 1988. Her killer was convicted of voluntary manslaughter; if released, he would not be classified as a sexually oriented offender.

mkovac@dixcom.com.