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Lawmakers call for tougher penalties
Updated: 06/01/2008
By: Jessica Mokhiber

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. -- The senseless murder of 10-year-old Kathina Thomas has people all over the Capital Region questioning how something like this could happen to an innocent child.

“A 10-year-old girl who will never see her prom, her family or the rest of her life. She was an innocent individual,” James Tedisco said.

In Schenectady, lawmakers took some time on Sunday to call for a new initiative called Child Assault Reform Act, which would increase penalties for people who hurt or kill a child under 12.

"Not only stricter penalties, but more time in jail off the streets so they can't continue to commit these crimes," Tedisco said.

Lawmakers call for tougher penalties
Just days after the tragic shooting death of 10-year-old Kathina Thomas in Albany, lawmakers in neighboring Schenectady County came together, calling for tougher penalties for people who injure or kill kids. Our Jessica Mokhiber has more.
     

Tedisco says this initiative focuses on the more vulnerable members of society -- kids -- who often cannot defend themselves.

“If I give someone life in prison, I'm pretty sure they're not going to go hurt another child,” said Tedisco.

“Two years ago, I came face to face with this issue. My wife had a gun placed to her head with my three children with her. She was robbed. Her purse was taken. Thankfully nothing else happened. That night, I thought about how terrible it was for my children to be in that situation,” said Chris Koetzle, Glenville Town Councilman. “No parent should ever have this happen to them.”

Unfortunately as yet, there is no one to face any penalties in the Kathina Thomas murder. The person responsible for the shooting has not been found, but police are continuing their investigation, looking for anyone who may have any information about the night Thomas was shot.

Would this cover 'sex offenders/predators'....if only we knew what they were.....As for the kids,,,,it should be across the board, kids or not.....what the hell are the judges doing?......

Another Buster's Law ideology stumping by a politician,,,,,,,animals cant vote and kids cant vote....who are they kidding.....?????

Ofcourse we dont want our kids killed, molested, hurt etc......but, at the same time we dont want our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles etc affected the same way......

Dont take the responsibility from the parents and society and community across the board.....put it in their laps and in their faces and then----BACK THEM UP......where are the crime fighters......legislation and laws are for AFTER the fact.......

Those who control the guns control the masses and those who control the $$ control the masses.........