Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Highlights Missouri's Version of Jessica's Law as Predator is Sentenced
JEFFERSON CITY–Today a Florida jury recommended John Couey be executed for Jessica Lunsford's murder, and Gov. Matt Blunt again reiterated the importance of the law he signed to help protect Missouri children from sexual offenders.
"Missouri's version of Jessica's Law makes it clear that those who commit egregious crimes against our children will never again have the liberty to harm a child," Blunt said. "I am pleased that we can honor Jessica's memory by working to protect children from sexual offenders with some of the toughest laws in the nation."
The governor's strong leadership has ensured Missouri's version of Jessica's Law is a model for other states. It mandates a lifetime sentence with a minimum of 30 years for serious sexual crimes that are committed against young children and calls for certain sex offenders to be monitored their entire lives. The governor has also led the successful effort to expand the state's sexual offender registry and add new tools to make it a more powerful resource for parents and law enforcement officials.
Last year, Blunt signed legislation to create the Cyber Crime Grant Program. This year the governor is asking the General Assembly to double funding for this program and set aside an additional $250,000 for local law enforcement so that they can purchase the equipment they need to apprehend criminals who are using the Internet to prey on Missouri's children.
The governor also recently unveiled the INOBTR (I Know Better) campaign to help teach children about the dangers of online predators. More information about the campaign is available at www.inobtr.org.
"There have been too many instances across our country when the justice system failed to protect our children from these dangerous predators," Blunt said. "I hope that the judge upholds the jury’s recommendation and sentences Jessica’s murderer to the harshest penalty allowed by law."