500,000+ signatures submitted to put Marsy's Law on Ohio ballot

Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would provide increased protections to crime victims submitted more than half a million signatures to the secretary of state’s office Thursday, hoping to place the issue before Ohio voters in November.

Marsy’s Law, named after a California woman murdered by her ex-boyfriend, would require increased notification of legal proceedings and opportunities for victims to weigh in on plea deals and seek financial restitution for losses caused by criminal acts.

One of the supporters speaking Thursday was Darla Scaffide, whose friend was one of two women — along with the village’s police chief — killed by an ex-boyfriend last month at a nursing home in Kirkersville. The perpetrator in that case had a history of violence but was released early from jail weeks before the triple homicide.

“He was in jail for beating her again, but the judge didn’t even give (her) the chance to speak at his hearing when he was released,” Scaffide said. “As a matter of fact, she had no idea that he was going to be let out. I find this both inexcusable and unacceptable, and that’s why I’m here today.”

Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170622/500000-signatures-submitted-to-put-marsys-law-on-ohio-ballot