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Fla. passes 'anti-murder' bill
By UPI Staff
United Press International
March 9, 2007
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UPI) -- The Florida Legislature has approved the "Anti-Murder Act," voting unanimously Thursday to send violent offenders who violate probation back to prison.
The bill now goes to Gov. Charlie Crist, who campaigned on the issue, The Miami Herald reported. The House voted Thursday and the state Senate on Wednesday.
The measure was inspired by recent homicides committed by offenders who were on probation. It would create a new category, "violent felony offenders of special concern," who would be jailed without bail for any non-technical violations of probation or supervised release.
"These individuals are the worst of the worst," said Rep. Sandra Adams, a Republican who was one of the sponsors. "I say let's lock them up. They didn't take their chance, their opportunity."
While no one voted against the bill, some black lawmakers suggested that Florida needs to provide more services to help newly released inmates find a place in the world. Rep. Curtis Richardson, a Tallahassee Democrat, warned that Floridians "can never incarcerate our way out of crime."
Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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