Posted: 7:30 PM Mar 29, 2012
Reporter: Mike McDaniel

It's a relatively small potential change which could lead to a much larger one, thanks to a one page, three paragraph bill set to strengthen penalties for a criminal offense already on the books.

"Our manslaughter laws are a bit antiquated," said Senator Chris McDaniel of Ellisville.

McDaniel is the bill's primary author. The bill would increase the sentence of manslaughter to a maximum of 30 years instead of the current 20. It's targeted to anyone over the age of 21 who kills someone under the age of 18.

McDaniel says the ten year increase would push the possibility of an early release further into the future, even though he believes the full sentence should be served.

"If an adult does commit manslaughter against a child, that adult should not receive an early release, period," said McDaniel.

Many state's already have 30 year maximums, some as high as 45. McDaniel says Mississippi should have caught up long ago and expects it will happen this year.

"Sometimes it takes action, some terrible action to get our attention," said McDaniel.

That terrible action happened in McDaniel's district back in the late eighties, when Karen Knotts, 14, of Jones County was kidnapped, raped and murdered. The man convicted was James Pugh. Pugh received a life sentence but was eligible for parole this year.

His parole was denied and his possible early release is what gave the bill it's name, "Karen's Law."

By introducing it in the legislature, McDaniel hopes it'll be the foundation to come back and rewrite the state's manslaughter statue next session.

"When people commit those types of crimes, society has every right to lock that person up to the longest extent possible," said McDaniel.

In crafting the bill, McDaniel says it's important to remember the victims and their families who serve a sentence much harsher than the person convicted.

"If you commit manslaughter recklessly or negligently that's one thing. If you commit manslaughter with some form of intent, you're convicted later of some form of manslaughter because of that intent, yes, you ought to serve a considerable sentence," said McDaniel. "I don't think 20 years is enough."

"Karen's Law" was slated to be taken up by the house Thursday afternoon, but lawmakers adjourned for the weekend, pushing a vote back to possibly Monday.

The bill is SB 2771.

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