Record-Journal
08-16-2007, 01:37 AM
CHESHIRE -- The creation of a Web-based criminal registry to track released felons gained support Wednesday night at a rally organized to call for a mandatory “three strikes” law in Connecticut.
About 400 people gathered at Bartlem Park on South Main Street to hear from state legislators about proposed legislation that would toughen sentences against repeat offenders in felony crimes.
The 7 p.m. rally was organized by Cheshire resident Marilyn Bartoli in response to the Petit triple homicide on July 23.
About a dozen speakers, ranging from elected officials to victims’ advocates, addressed the crowd where many held signs reading “Close the Revolving Prison Door.”
State Rep. Alfred C. Adinolfi, R-Cheshire, announced that a state Judiciary Committee hearing has been called for Sept. 11 to discuss the sentencing and re-entry process for felons. “National criminal justice experts will testify about other states’ laws,” he said.
In addition, Adinolfi said, lawmakers are looking for possible sites to build more prisons in Connecticut. “There are 300 vacant beds in Cheshire (at the correctional institution). Why are they empty?” he asked.
State Rep. Mary Fritz, D-Wallingford, whose district includes part of Cheshire, called for changes in the law concerning home invasions. “Make breaking and entering when a home is occupied part of the serious offenders law,” she said.
“No one can predict future behavior,” Fritz continued. “But it’s disturbing that the parole panel didn’t have the information” about the previous crimes committed by the two parolees accused in the Petit home invasion.
“There was a serious breakdown in communication,” Fritz added.
Joshua Komisarjevsky, 26, and Steven Hayes, 44, had each been paroled just months before they were accused of the Petit slayings.
Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele arrived at the rally about 7:30 p.m. and quickly walked to the podium with a statement from Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who was unable to attend.
“The Connecticut state government must constantly seek ways to protect its citizens,” Fedele read. “Nighttime burglaries, second-degree burglary, must be reclassified as a violent crime.”
His remarks brought applause from the crowd that had started to dwindle as it began to get dark.
Before lealving, Fedele stopped to share his condolences with Dr. William Petit Jr., who sat on a nearby picnic table surrounded by his family. Petit is the only survivor of the overnight attack that killed his wife and two daughters.
“The tragedy suffered by the Petit family touches us in profound ways,” said state Victim Advocate Jim Papillo.
“The more we learn, the greater we are concerned about the ability of the system to protect the public.”
“The role this community plays tonight and in the future has the most impact to send a message to lawmakers that things must change,” Papillo said. “Do we let out violent criminals early? We’re told we don’t, but I know we do.”
Dr. Sam Reiger of Waterbury, a spokesman for homicide survivors, said he hoped the rally would help.
“They were talking in terms of thousands” in attendance at the rally, he said. “It’s kind of hard not to be disappointed” at the smaller crowd.
“Homicide is a hard topic to deal with. People close off their minds to it,” Reiger added.
Jessica Ryan of Cheshire, who wrote a petition calling for the “three strikes” law, told the group how proud she was to be part of the community.
“What we say can and does have an impact. We come together for a much-needed change. This could have happened in any town and we’re left feeling defenseless,” Ryan said as she fought back tears.
She asked those gathered to sign the online petition for the law that now bears nearly 40,000 signatures.
Other speakers at the rally included state Reps. Leonard A. Fasano, R-North Haven, and Sam Caligiuri, R-Waterbury.
About 400 people gathered at Bartlem Park on South Main Street to hear from state legislators about proposed legislation that would toughen sentences against repeat offenders in felony crimes.
The 7 p.m. rally was organized by Cheshire resident Marilyn Bartoli in response to the Petit triple homicide on July 23.
About a dozen speakers, ranging from elected officials to victims’ advocates, addressed the crowd where many held signs reading “Close the Revolving Prison Door.”
State Rep. Alfred C. Adinolfi, R-Cheshire, announced that a state Judiciary Committee hearing has been called for Sept. 11 to discuss the sentencing and re-entry process for felons. “National criminal justice experts will testify about other states’ laws,” he said.
In addition, Adinolfi said, lawmakers are looking for possible sites to build more prisons in Connecticut. “There are 300 vacant beds in Cheshire (at the correctional institution). Why are they empty?” he asked.
State Rep. Mary Fritz, D-Wallingford, whose district includes part of Cheshire, called for changes in the law concerning home invasions. “Make breaking and entering when a home is occupied part of the serious offenders law,” she said.
“No one can predict future behavior,” Fritz continued. “But it’s disturbing that the parole panel didn’t have the information” about the previous crimes committed by the two parolees accused in the Petit home invasion.
“There was a serious breakdown in communication,” Fritz added.
Joshua Komisarjevsky, 26, and Steven Hayes, 44, had each been paroled just months before they were accused of the Petit slayings.
Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele arrived at the rally about 7:30 p.m. and quickly walked to the podium with a statement from Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who was unable to attend.
“The Connecticut state government must constantly seek ways to protect its citizens,” Fedele read. “Nighttime burglaries, second-degree burglary, must be reclassified as a violent crime.”
His remarks brought applause from the crowd that had started to dwindle as it began to get dark.
Before lealving, Fedele stopped to share his condolences with Dr. William Petit Jr., who sat on a nearby picnic table surrounded by his family. Petit is the only survivor of the overnight attack that killed his wife and two daughters.
“The tragedy suffered by the Petit family touches us in profound ways,” said state Victim Advocate Jim Papillo.
“The more we learn, the greater we are concerned about the ability of the system to protect the public.”
“The role this community plays tonight and in the future has the most impact to send a message to lawmakers that things must change,” Papillo said. “Do we let out violent criminals early? We’re told we don’t, but I know we do.”
Dr. Sam Reiger of Waterbury, a spokesman for homicide survivors, said he hoped the rally would help.
“They were talking in terms of thousands” in attendance at the rally, he said. “It’s kind of hard not to be disappointed” at the smaller crowd.
“Homicide is a hard topic to deal with. People close off their minds to it,” Reiger added.
Jessica Ryan of Cheshire, who wrote a petition calling for the “three strikes” law, told the group how proud she was to be part of the community.
“What we say can and does have an impact. We come together for a much-needed change. This could have happened in any town and we’re left feeling defenseless,” Ryan said as she fought back tears.
She asked those gathered to sign the online petition for the law that now bears nearly 40,000 signatures.
Other speakers at the rally included state Reps. Leonard A. Fasano, R-North Haven, and Sam Caligiuri, R-Waterbury.