House Republican Press Release

April 17, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Klarides: Three Strikes Defeated Again

HARTFORD- Deputy House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-Derby) expressed disappointment today that House Democrats once again defeated a Three Strikes measure which would require mandatory life in prison upon conviction of a third violent felony.  Republicans offered the amendment on the floor of the State House of Representatives this afternoon.

“I find it incredibly irresponsible that the Democrats are not only stonewalling the enacting of tough criminal justice reforms that the public clearly wants in the wake of some serious tragedies in this state, but that they refuse to even have a debate on this issue,” said Klarides.

Following the introduction of the measure, Democrats quickly moved to pass the bill temporarily, a procedural maneuver that removes the underlying bill from consideration.

“They apparently don’t even think we are entitled to a debate on the floor about the matter,” added Klarides.

The chief argument advanced by legislative Democrats against Three Strikes is that the measure takes away judicial discretion, said Klarides.  “That is an absurd argument.  We have removed judicial review in a number of bills this legislature has passed.  If a violent felon shows up three times before a judge for three separate violent crimes, then I would have to say judicial review hasn’t worked in that instance.  There is no excuse for reforming our current system in such a way so that those criminals who are evidently beyond reform, and are nothing more than predators looking for their next opportunity to strike, will be put away for life.”

Klarides added that she intended to bring Three Strikes up again before the conclusion of the session.

The 2008 session of the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight on Wednesday, May 7^th.