REP. STEPHANIE STUCKEY BENFIELD'S
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Week of January 22 - 26, 2007
WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT - January 26, 2007
Wrongful convictions show need for changes in law
By Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield
This week, Willie O. "Pete" Williams was released from prison after having been incarcerated more than 21 years for a crime we now know he did not commit. Williams is one of six men whose convictions have been thrown out by DNA evidence, many years after they were wrongfully sent to prison.
In each case, jurors found these men guilty based on "eyewitness" testimony identifying them as the perpetrator. However, the DNA evidence has proven those identifications to have been mistaken. In an effort to address the repeated tragedy of sending the wrong persons to prison - and thus failing to apprehend the true perpetrators - I will be introducing legislation that would strengthen the integrity of "lineup" identifications used by law enforcement.
Under my proposal, guidelines would be established for the manner in which live and photographic lineups of suspects are conducted. The guidelines seek to remove bias that often seeps into the process. Georgia has had too many of these miscarriages of justice, which not only cost the taxpayers but rob innocent citizens of decades of freedom. Our state should now lead the way in seeking a solution to the problem.
I am hearing concern from many Georgians over the state government's movement toward expanded commercial development on Jekyll Island . The state Jekyll Island Authority is reportedly considering the construction of a luxury hotel, condominiums and other tourist developments that threaten the island's environmental qualities and the tranquility enjoyed by current residents and visitors. While admittedly many of the hotels and facilities on the island are in need of repair, there is concern that the authority will build up the south end of the island, which is largely undeveloped and currently home to a 4-H Center and soccer complex. The Jekyll Island Authority has nine board members - eight appointed by the governor and one ex-officio member from the state Department of Natural Resources. If you share my concerns about Jekyll becoming over-developed, please contact the Authority to let them know your views. You can find the contact information for the Authority at http://www.jekyllislandauthority.org/ .
On another environmental issue, I have co-sponsored legislation intended to result in the protection of the marshlands along the Georgia coast . House Resolution 51 urges the state Department of Natural Resources to refrain from adopting rules that would put the state's marshlands in jeopardy by going to a 25-foot buffer between the marsh and upland development. The rules proposed would also not allow consideration of storm water runoff from upland developments.
This environmental measure states that Georgia has protected these salt marshlands by strong legislation since 1970, and the growing popularity of our coast as a place to visit and live makes it ever more important that the salt marsh be strongly protected. I, along with other environmental advocates, support a minimum 50-foot buffer for our marshlands. The resolution was referred to the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee for consideration.
On Thursday, a celebration was held at the Capitol recognizing the milestone of 1 million HOPE Scholarship recipients since the inception of the program in 1993. It is truly an outstanding achievement for Georgia to have been able to send a million students to our state's colleges, universities and technical colleges at no tuition cost. This is a very proud accomplishment for our state and a reminder that we must continue to work diligently to protect HOPE against any attempt to cut, restrict or otherwise derail the program.
Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Sears presented the annual State of the Judiciary address to a joint legislative session Wednesday. Chief Justice Sears reported on the success of specialized courts in Georgia, including drug courts, DUI courts, mental health courts and family law courts. She also stressed the importance of continuing to fully fund the statewide indigent defense program, which is currently facing a budget crisis.
• Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) represents the 85 th District (DeKalb County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 512 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-7859 or by e-mail at stuckey@mindspring.com . Please visit my website at www.stuckey.org . I have an interactive poll on my web page and invite you to register your views on the important issues of the day.
Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield (D-Atlanta) represents the 85 th District (DeKalb County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 512 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-7859 or by e-mail at stuckey@mindspring.com.
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