Governor Patrick Signs Crime Bill

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed into law a crime bill with a so-called three strikes provision.     WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports.

   A spokesman said Gov Patrick signed the bill Thursday morning in a private ceremony in his office.  The bill, which bars parole  after a  person’s third  conviction for a serious violent crime, had been a  point of conflict between the Governor and legislators.  Patrick announced on the last day of the legislative session he would sign the  bill  thus avoiding a veto showdown.

   Present for the bill signing was a leading crime victim’s advocate, Les Gosule. His daughter Mellissa was raped and murdered in 1999 by a man who had 27 prior convictions.