"Penny's Law" would allow juveniles convicted of murder as adults

 to be sentenced as adults.

          Currently, in New York State, while juvenile offenders can be "tried as adults" for murder, they must still be sentenced using juvenile guidelines.  Violent juvenile murderers are among the most dangerous in society, and yet they are not being held criminally responsible for the brutal acts they commit.  Juveniles who commit murder in New York State can be sentenced to a maximum of only nine years to life in prison.  Juveniles throughout New York State are essentially being told that nothing that they do- not even murder, holds serious consequences. 

          When Penny Brown was brutally raped and then strangled to death on Mother's Day of 1999, her family, friends, colleagues, and community were devastated.  Devastation turned to despair when her 15-year-old killer received only nine years to life in prison.  Frustrated with the grossly inappropriate sentence, a grass-roots campaign to change the juvenile sentencing law was born.  "Penny's Law", New York State Assembly Bill #A1628, named for Penny Brown, was then drafted with the help of Assemblywoman Catherine Young, and State Senator Patricia McGee.  "Penny's Law" changes the sentencing range for juvenile murderers from 5-9 years to life, to a far more appropriate 15-25 years to life.

          Juvenile killers like Eric Smith and Edward Kindt, have not only committed adult crimes, but they have done so maliciously and with adult intent.  The heinous acts they've committed have nothing to do with their ages.  New York State needs to recognize this and take a firm stand against juvenile homicide- violence that ended the lives of Penny Brown, Derrick Robie, Jennifer Bolender, and so many more.  New York State must pass "Penny's Law."