TRENTON — The father of a murder victim whose death led many states to pass stricter sex offender laws will be at the New Jersey Statehouse today to encourage lawmakers to keep child killers locked up longer. Mark Lunsford is holding a news conference to urge passage of an Assembly bill increasing the prison sentence for child sex offenses....
John Couey was found guilty of abducting and murdering 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford. TRENTON — The father of a murder victim whose death led many states to pass stricter sex offender laws will be at the New Jersey Statehouse today to encourage lawmakers to keep child killers locked up longer.
Mark Lunsford is holding a news conference to urge passage of an Assembly bill increasing the prison sentence for child sex offenses.
The bill would impose a mandatory 25-year term without parole for anyone convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. Anyone who hinders their apprehension or prosecution would face at least a year behind bars.
Lunsford's third-grade daughter, Jessica, was raped and murdered in Florida by a convicted sex offender. Jessica's laws are intended to reduce a sex offender's ability to re-offend.
The bill sponsor, Republican Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz of Summit, will also speak.
Previous coverage:
• N.J. sex offenders could face tougher sentences and residency restrictions
• Lawsuit could impact municipal limits on where sex offenders can reside
• Times of Trenton editorial: N.J. one of few states without Lunsford law