Latest news with #Marsy
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Capitol Hill review: 114th General Assembly adjourns for 2025
State lawmakers concluded their business on April 22 in a successful first session of the 114th General Assembly. House and Senate Republicans delivered results for all Tennesseans this year by prioritizing conservative policies and fulfilling the General Assembly's constitutional duty of approving a balanced budget. The 2025 session was highlighted by efforts to strengthen education, improve public health and safety, bolster infrastructure and combat illegal immigration. Lawmakers this session worked to preserve Tennessee's rich agricultural and natural heritage, ensure government efficiency and promote economic opportunity. They also continued efforts to provide relief to the Tennesseans impacted by Hurricane Helene while helping increase preparedness for future disasters. These strategic investments aim to make life better for all in the Volunteer State. Republicans continued to build on their previous accomplishments and cemented Tennessee's status as a leader in common-sense conservative governance and prosperity. Marcy's Law to expand victims' rights heads to TN voters - A proposed constitutional amendment to expand the rights of victims in Tennessee now heads to voters in the state for final approval. Senate Joint Resolution 9, carried by State Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, proposes to put Marsy's Law in the state constitution to ensure crime victims' rights are protected in Tennessee. The legislation would amend Article 1, Section 35 of the Tennessee Constitution to establish clear and enforceable constitutional rights for victims of crime, including the rights to be: heard, informed and treated with fairness, dignity and respect through the judicial process. Named after Marsalee Nicholas, Marsy's Law is part of a nationwide effort to support crime victims and prevent further trauma. Marsy was murdered in 1983 by her ex-boyfriend, who stalked and killed her while she was a student at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Marsy's family ran into her murderer a week after her death on the way back from her funeral, unaware that he was released on bail. Marsy's Law seeks to ensure devastating and traumatic experiences like this never happen to victims in Tennessee. This proposed amendment will now be considered by Tennessee voters in the Nov. 3, 2026 gubernatorial election. Farmland Preservation Act helps conservation - Legislation aimed at supporting Tennessee's agricultural industry and preserving family farms now heads to the governor's desk for his signature following final passage in the General Assembly. The Farmland Preservation Act, House Bill 1325 establishes a $25 million fund to provide grants for property owners who voluntarily place their farm or forestry land into an agricultural easement with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The program aims to make farmland preservation financially feasible for family farms, ensuring they remain in agricultural use for future generations. Tennessee is losing farmland to development at a rapid rate. During a 20-year period from 1997 to 2017, Tennessee lost 1.1 million acres of farmland to development. Since 2017, another 432,941 acres of farmland have been lost. At this rate, Tennessee is losing 9.8 acres of farmland per hour. While property owners can already place their land in a conservation easement through various entities, rising land prices provide little incentive to do so. The Farmland Preservation Fund established in the bill provides this incentive, making it more financially viable for Tennessee farmers to preserve their land. Participation in the program is voluntary, allowing property owners to receive compensation for the difference between their land's agricultural value and its highest market value. Farmers who take part in the program would still maintain the freedom to develop their land for agricultural purposes and maintain full farming operations without restrictions on output. Agriculture-related industries employ 324,000 individuals and contribute $89 billion to Tennessee's economy. The Farmland Preservation Act becomes law July 1. General Assembly works to keep violent offenders in custody - The General Assembly approved a constitutional amendment that seeks to improve public safety in Tennessee by keeping violent offenders in custody. Senate Joint Resolution 25 will expand the offenses for which a judge can deny bail to include capital offenses, acts of terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape and grave torture. Currently, judges can only deny bail for capital offenses. The legislation would also improve transparency in Tennessee's criminal justice system by requiring judges and magistrates to explain their reasoning behind allowing or denying a defendant's bail. Two separate General Assemblies must first approve any proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution before it can be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. Senate Joint Resolution 25 received its first approval in the 113th General Assembly. Tennessee voters will now have the opportunity to approve this constitutional amendment in the Nov. 3, 2026, gubernatorial election. General Assembly creates advisory committee on K-12 testing - A Republican proposal seeking to streamline K-12 testing in Tennessee was approved by the General Assembly. House Bill 675 will create a ten-member joint legislative advisory committee on innovations in K-12 learning to study several aspects of Tennessee's educational system, including evaluations, assessments and other standards. The committee will study standardized testing for K-12 students, including frequency and how to apply student performance on tests for accountability purposes. It will also evaluate the following: Teacher and principal evaluations Screening requirements for response to intervention (RTI) in schools Health coverage and compensation for educators Expanding teaching permits Allowing CTE courses to substitute for graduation requirements The committee will develop strategies and suggestions to be reported to the General Assembly and the Tennessee Department of Education by the end of 2025. The purpose of this review is to support students and educators across the state. House Bill 675 heads to the governor for his consideration. It is an honor and privilege to be able to serve in the 71st District. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call or email our office at or 615-741-2190. This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Capitol Hill review: 114th General Assembly adjourns for 2025
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Menendez brothers' aunt hospitalized after DA shares graphic photos in court: 'There was no warning'
An elderly aunt of Lyle and Erik Menendez is in intensive care after prosecutors showed graphic crime scene images during the brothers' hearing on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the family. The Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, a family-led initiative advocating for the release of the brothers, is calling for immediate accountability and oversight following a "disturbing and reckless decision" by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office during Friday's court hearing that sent Terry Baralt, 85, to the hospital. "We are devastated to share that Terry Baralt has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office's cruel and careless conduct in court," a statement from the family read. "No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DA's office pushed her past the brink." Baralt, who is Jose Menendez's sister, is battling colon cancer, but traveled from her home in New Jersey to Los Angeles to support her nephews at their hearing, where the family said she was forced to witness graphic images, including her brother's body. Los Angeles Da Slams Menendez Brothers For 'Bunker Of Lies' Ahead Of Fight Against Reduced Sentences "Without notice, prosecutors chose to show a graphic, unredacted image of José's dead body directly in front of us, his surviving family. No one prepared us. There was no warning, no humanity – just shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of grief," the statement continued. Read On The Fox News App The family spokesperson shared with Fox News Digital that Baralt remains in critical condition at a Los Angeles hospital. The Menendez family has also called for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to be removed from the case after showing the graphic images, saying their use of the photo violated California's Marsy's Law, which they noted "guarantees victims the right to be treated with fairness and respect for their privacy and dignity, and free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal justice process." "This wasn't just cruel. It was a clear violation of our rights," the family wrote. "The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional. The District Attorney's Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it. We are holding them fully responsible for the profound pain we are suffering right now. The shock and heartbreak we feel cannot be put into words." If Menendez Brothers Admit To 'Lies,' Los Angeles Da May Reconsider Resentencing Motion To Free Them: Report Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office shared a statement with Fox News Digital saying that prosecutors did not intend to "cause distress or pain" to those in attendance at the hearing. "To the extent that the photographic depiction of this conduct upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo," Hochman's office wrote. Hochman's office also explained that the Menendez brothers' decision to file a habeas petition in 2023 and a request for clemency and resentencing in 2024 was "certainly going to trigger emotions for all those concerned in a case after staying dormant for over 18 years." "We never intend to cause distress or pain to individuals who attend a court hearing," Hochman's office said. "We understand the nature of the evidence of these heinous double murders was deeply emotional. However, by design, these hearings are intended to be a place where the truth, no matter how painful, is brought to light. That truth starts with the abject brutality and premeditation of the murders themselves." California Gov Newsom Sets Menendez Brothers Parole Board Hearing Date In Bid For Clemency LA County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic handed down a win to the Menendez brothers during Friday's hearing, deciding against withdrawing their petition for a new trial. The decision comes after District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters on March 10 that he was seeking to withdraw former District Attorney George Gascon's motion for a resentencing hearing, which he filed days before losing re-election. Resentencing proceedings will continue on April 17 and 18, Jesic said. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X The Menendez brothers and their supporters have been pushing for a resentencing hearing, saying the brothers were unfairly convicted to life in prison in 1996 for murdering their two parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. Both Lyle and Erik Menendez have since come forward in documentaries and on social media claiming their father sexually abused them, offering a different narrative of the killings than the story their attorneys told in the 1990s. Menendez Brothers Resentencing: What Happens Next? Hochman previously told ABC News that he would consider resentencing both brothers "sincerely and unequivocally admit, for the first time in over 30 years, the full range of their criminal activity and all the lies that they have told about it." SIGN UP TO GET True Crime Newsletter The district attorney wrote in his motion that he believes the Menendez brothers "have repeatedly lied about the case, their parents, and their interactions with witnesses." GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub Their first trial ended in a mistrial, when jurors couldn't agree on their fate. After a second trial in the mid-1990s, in which some of their evidence about the alleged sexual abuse was excluded, jurors agreed with prosecutors that their motive was greed. Watch On Fox Nation: Menendez Brothers: Victims Or Villains? If the judge decides to resentence the Menendez brothers, it will then be up to the state parole board to consider their release. They are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13 as part of a comprehensive risk assessment report ordered by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is considering the brothers' clemency request – a separate potential path out of prison. Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz and Audrey Conklin contributed to this report. Original article source: Menendez brothers' aunt hospitalized after DA shares graphic photos in court: 'There was no warning'
