NEW YORK STATE SENATE PASSES MADDOX’S LAW

            State Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C, Syracuse) today announced that the New York State Senate passed his bill (S7057A) that would create Maddox’s Law. 

            The bill is named after Maddox Lawrence, a Syracuse toddler who police say was brutally killed by her father this past March. The legislation would establish the new offense of murder in the first degree, when the intended victim is a child 12 years or younger, and it would carry a stiffer sentence of life without parole.

            Currently, murder in the first degree is reserved for the killing of a police officer, correctional facility employee, judge, firefighter, emergency medical technician, ambulance driver, paramedic, physician, and a registered nurse.  This bill would change the statute to include children who are 12-years old or younger.

            “The killing of a young defenseless child is one of the most heinous crimes, since the perpetrator has a significant physical and emotional advantage over the victim.  We need to change the law so that the punishment for the crime adequately reflects the severity of the crime,” said Senator DeFrancisco. 

            The bill has been sent to the State Assembly and awaits action by that body. 

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