Gov. Patrick: 'I Will Sign This Bill'
Killing of Woburn Police Officer Jack Maguire helped gain support for Melissa's Bill, which limits parole eligibility for convicted violent repeat offenders.
With the fate of Melissa's Bill solely in Gov. Deval Patrick's hands Tuesday, the governor made a decision at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon. "I will sign this bill," he said. Melissa's Bill, named for Melissa Gosule who was killed by a violent repeat offender who was out on parole, has been in the works for years. But it was the killing of Woburn Police Officer Jack Maguire on Dec. 26, 2010 that spurred more support for the bill. Officer Maguire responded to an armed robbery at Kohl's in the middle of a blizzard. When he stopped the suspect, a paroled repeat offender with several convictions for robbery and violence against police officers, gunfire was exchanged. Officer Maguire was killed, as was the suspect. Chuck Maguire, Officer Maguire's …
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Steve
12:04 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I’m not sure if this is the best bill but I do disagree that it will not be a deterrent. I can guarantee you that some scumbag with two strikes on him will think twice before committing that third offense. Maybe even move out of state to avoid the third strike. Either way it is fine with me. Too bad the judges that are now losing their power of discretion did not properly exercise it to begin … more ›