Today, after a relentless battle led by California Senate Republicans, Democrats officially shelved Senate Bill 94 (D-Cortese), which would have released the state’s most heinous murderers. This public safety victory comes after mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers, victims’ rights groups, law enforcement, and the public.
“The radical SB 94 was a direct assault on the rights of California families who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one at the hands of violent criminals,” said Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego). “Thank you to Californians for standing up for justice, victims’ rights, and public safety. Together, we’ve ensured that when violent murderers brutally take a life, they lose their right to freedom—forever. Their punishment is in the name: life without parole. While I’m relieved that this dangerous legislation is finally dead for the year, we’re ready to continue the fight if it comes back. Californians will not stand for letting heinous murderers roam our streets.”
Legislative Republicans held a press conference last week to expose the dangers of SB 94. The measure specifically would have allowed violent murderers sentenced to life without the possibility of parole to seek release from prison, rather than serving out their life sentences. Murderers covered by the measure included those who tortured their victims, those who killed jurors and judges, murderers for hire, and those who killed for money or racial reasons
“The outcome of SB 94 would’ve been disastrous for public safety and victims’ rights,” said Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta), vice chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee. “We know that when voters come together and demand to be heard, even the supermajority has to take it seriously and listen to the will of the people. That is what we saw happened today, a victory of the people over dangerous proposed policies.”
In an opinion article published earlier this week, Leader Jones and Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) said that Democrat lawmakers pay “no mind to the will of the people or the well-being of victims and their families.” They argue that Democrat politicians have been “speaking out of both sides of their mouths,” regarding public safety in California. The week prior, Leader Jones and Senator Seyarto also exposed the dangerous legislation in a publicly released analysis.