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Richard Piatt ReportingAn emotional plea from Lori Hacking's father helped promote a change to state law today. Eraldo Soares drove to Utah from California to take issue with the way Utah judges sentence convicted murderers.
Even though Mark Hacking got the maximum sentence for killing his wife Lori, that sentence sounds lenient to many people. Five years to life was his sentence, according to state law. Chances are, Hacking will never get out of prison, but Lori's family is worried there's a chance Hacking will be eligible for parole in just five years.
Today, Eraldo Soares made an emotional plea to a House committee to change the minimum murder sentence to 15 years to life.
Eraldo Soares: "In what circumstance would five years be enough? The answer is none. This law needs to be changed."
Rep. Lorie Fowlke, (R) Orem: "Victims' counselors report this is a very serious issue, and we believe we can relief them of this stress because the convicts will not be getting out in five years."
Partly because of the emotional testimony and party because of the perception that Utah might not be punishing crime appropriately, the committee passed this bill unanimously.
The sentencing range of five years to life is called 'indeterminate sentencing' and the system is recognized as working well: really bad guys don't get out of prison early. However, this change is seen as necessary and will probably pass both Houses.
