On June 30th, by a vote of three to four, SB 399 failed to pass out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Senator Yee moved for a reconsideration, however, which will allow the bill to be considered again at a later time. Voting “no” were Chairman Arambula (I), Assembly Members Gilmore (R), Hagman (R), and Ma (D). Voting in favor of the bill were Assembly Members Ammiano (D), Furutani (D), and Hill (D). Those opposed cited the interests of victim family members.
One family member testified to the pain she and her family endured when her husband was murdered by two teens. She opposes the bill, objecting the possibility of a lighter sentence, and what she believes would be a traumatic review process.
Another perspective was presented by Aqeela Sherrills. A long-time leader in anti-gang work, Mr. Sherrills told the committee, “I am all too familiar with the conditions that create despair in the hearts and imagination of many of our young people.” In early 2004, his 19 year old son was killed while home on break from college. The perpetrator was a 17 year-old. Mr. Sherrills spoke from the perspective of a victim family member who supports the bill. “I want my son’s killer to be punished, yes, but I also want him to have the chance to turn around. I support this bill’s giving him four chances to do so.”
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