Addabbo: Families Need More Protection From Criminals

Queens, NY, May 26, 2011 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) helped obtain passage in the Senate of a measure that would strengthen a law designed to prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes. Previously cited as the “Son of Sam” law, the bill (S.4393) amends the law to include criminals who were found to be mentally afflicted also will be prevented from profiting from commercial exploitation of their stories.    

Before the “Son of Sam” law was implemented in response to a string of murders of young women in New York during the summer of 1977, criminals were offered huge sums of money for the rights to their stories. Senator Addabbo disagreed with this rationale.  Explained Addabbo, “Surviving spouses of the victims of heinous acts of murder should not be subjected to any glorification of notorious prisoners, nor profiling of a loved one’s murder. On top of this, to be financially exploited and not to receive any monies for the wrongful actions inflicted upon their close ones, is absurd.” 

The federal government and 40 states have implemented an assortment of “Son of Sam” laws to address this pressing issue. By voting in favor of a technical correction to the prevailing success of New York State law, Senator Addabbo is placing another barrier before all criminals, to prevent them profiting from their crimes. 

The bill passed the Senate in May and is yet to be introduced in the New York State Assembly.  “Our first priority must be protecting and keeping victims’ families from public access. These incidents are privacy matters where respect for loved ones and their families is warranted,” said Addabbo.

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